The Gospel Of Contentment

After WWII, the economy exploded as the technology for war could create fantastic items for peace. Factories turned out a myriad of products at a reasonable price that the average person never comprehended. Thus the age of materialism erupted around the world.

People that had survived the depression with the bare minimum either became hoarders and still lived in their minds under Depression conditions living as paupers and leaving great wealth at their death or became like crows and shiny things. The mind boggled at the available “necessities” for the modern man and woman.

We went from an enduring society where washers and refrigerators would last years to a consumer society where everything is built to fail, usually the day after the warrant gives. Grandma’s refrigerator built in 1952 and still running in 2002 is replaced by one that may last ten years.

Cars survived like immortals. They were easy to repair. Now they are mostly plastic and computers with manufacturers having numerous recalls and “shade tree” mechanics are hard to find since the dealers have all the fancy tools to fix things that you almost have to take the car apart whereas they used to be easy to do by a teenager.

A 1953 Chevy advertisement encouraged you to “Eye it! Try it! Buy it!” The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life in three words because you want to be the first one on the block to have one. We are now swamped with gizmos and gadgets that we must have if we are to be happy or survive in these modern time. How civilization managed to survive on less is miraculous.

Our holidays are more about marketing then being a holy day, which is what holiday came from. Unless you buy everything possible and go into debt you can’t celebrate the birth of Christ? One church spent $250K on an Easter presentation when all it cost the Romans two boards and three nails. Even Jesus’ tomb was borrowed. Of course, we spend tons on candy for Easter and to prove your love once a day for your wife or girl friend. Indeed, life will be stressful if you don’t do hearts and flowers even though you show you love the other 364 days. And we must remember our other day promoting diabetes in October.

Everything has to be updated. It may not be broken, but it has to be in style whether that is the color of our walls, the ceiling fan or door knobs. If they are not in style, they have to go. I am of the old school that says if it isn’t broke don’t fix it.

Indeed, the prosperity gospel teaches that we should have the best of everything. One lad said to not just pray for tires. Pray for Michelins. Shoot, there was a time I had retreads or may pops as we called them as the tread could pop off at any time. Churches build Taj Mahals and the pastors and staff drive around in luxury cars wearing $8-10K watches and feel like they deserve it. If you sow the right seed, you can also have this lavish lifestyle.

The issue is that I cannot see a call to lavishness and materialism in the Word. Yes, the kings had great wealth, but not all were kings. Priests were not allowed to own land and had their needs provided for by Law. There were poor folks and what we might call middle class, but the poor were in greater number and Jesus said we would have poor with us always. He never talked about sowing seed money or to just name and claim it to manifest it. Indeed, he said the foxes and birds had what He did not have on this earth.

We need to preach and live a gospel of contentment.

Luke 3:14  And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

Of all the things John the Baptist could have instructed the soldiers to do being content with your wages seems a bit light. Soldiers of the day were usually brutal and many were rapists. We know they could legally make you carry their belongings for a mile as Jesus said to go two miles. From this we speak of going the extra mile when we do more than what is required. It is a good way to get promotions.

Do no violence did not mean as an act of war. They could and often did hurt people if they got in their way or did not give them want they wanted. Indeed, they could falsely accuse you of a crime and their word was law. Being they had so much authority and generated a great deal of fear it is likely they would either just take whatever they wanted and even demand money from individuals. Thus to be content with their wages or to live within their means would be a major impact on their lives as well as the populace. Cornelius was an exception to the rule. Indeed, his faith got his prayers heard and a visit from Peter leading to him and all present to salvation.