Post by timber on Jun 2, 2006 23:21:41 GMT -5
An excellent essay passed on to me.. I really enjoyed Scott Hahn's quote in this essay.
Quality of Life & The Age of Materialism
In our modern culture we are often bombarded with the appeal of material gain. We want new homes, new cars, new clothes, bigger TVs, Surround Sound, iPods, etc. We want higher salaries, retirement funds, and vacation homes. Many are willing to sacrifice family time to achieve these material goals - working 50+ hour weeks, moving whenever necessary due to a job, traveling on business multiple days of the week, etc. Yet is this improving our quality of life?
Several family members and friends have recently gone through some terrible divorces. These families seemed happy and normal. Good incomes, beautiful homes, nice cars, kids in the best private schools, and exotic vacations. Then suddenly divorce. My wife and I noted that in each of these families the primary focus was gaining wealth and advancing socially. The kids were constantly on the go as were the parents. The fathers were gone several days a week on business. The mothers were involved in various social activities. Ultimately, their desire for worldly gain and material comfort distracted them from what really mattered...their families. What can we learn from this?
We need to ask ourselves what is our primary focus. Are we focused on making more money, advancing our careers, putting our children in the best schools, being part of the in-group in society or are we focused on growing in holiness, raising our children in godly homes, and improving our quality of life from a Christian perspective? What is our example teaching our children, family, and friends?
Is our faith and our family our top priority? Scott Hahn once said that in our modern age the father or mother who is willing to walk out of the office or workplace after 40 hours in order to have more time with his/her family is the real hero.
Our society tells us and sells us materialism...the notion that material gain will bring us happiness and satisfaction. We are told that we should indulge ourselves because we deserve it. Yet this world is passing and in the near future (realitively speaking) we will cease to be here. Do we live according? Are we striving to gain some "thing(s)" in this life or in the next? Are we heaven focused or materially focused? Something tells me that this is what Christ had in mind when He said:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. - Matt 6:19-21
It is difficult living during these times...we feel comfortable yet so restless, so wanting. We want so much. But what do we need in this life? What is absolutely necessary? Do we strive for the necessary "goods", i.e. God and eternal life, or do we get too caught up in the material sideshow here on earth?
Living in a country that has so much it never ceases to amaze me how unhappy we are. The divorce rate is ridiculously high as is the crime rate and teen suicide. Monetarily we are advancing but morally we are falling apart. What is necessary in this day and age are families committed to being holy families, willing to sacrifice the attraction of this world for eternal happiness in the next. This is what will genuinely improve the quality of our lives and our society.
May we all be willing to take up our cross and follow Christ.
In Christ,
Joe
Quality of Life & The Age of Materialism
In our modern culture we are often bombarded with the appeal of material gain. We want new homes, new cars, new clothes, bigger TVs, Surround Sound, iPods, etc. We want higher salaries, retirement funds, and vacation homes. Many are willing to sacrifice family time to achieve these material goals - working 50+ hour weeks, moving whenever necessary due to a job, traveling on business multiple days of the week, etc. Yet is this improving our quality of life?
Several family members and friends have recently gone through some terrible divorces. These families seemed happy and normal. Good incomes, beautiful homes, nice cars, kids in the best private schools, and exotic vacations. Then suddenly divorce. My wife and I noted that in each of these families the primary focus was gaining wealth and advancing socially. The kids were constantly on the go as were the parents. The fathers were gone several days a week on business. The mothers were involved in various social activities. Ultimately, their desire for worldly gain and material comfort distracted them from what really mattered...their families. What can we learn from this?
We need to ask ourselves what is our primary focus. Are we focused on making more money, advancing our careers, putting our children in the best schools, being part of the in-group in society or are we focused on growing in holiness, raising our children in godly homes, and improving our quality of life from a Christian perspective? What is our example teaching our children, family, and friends?
Is our faith and our family our top priority? Scott Hahn once said that in our modern age the father or mother who is willing to walk out of the office or workplace after 40 hours in order to have more time with his/her family is the real hero.
Our society tells us and sells us materialism...the notion that material gain will bring us happiness and satisfaction. We are told that we should indulge ourselves because we deserve it. Yet this world is passing and in the near future (realitively speaking) we will cease to be here. Do we live according? Are we striving to gain some "thing(s)" in this life or in the next? Are we heaven focused or materially focused? Something tells me that this is what Christ had in mind when He said:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. - Matt 6:19-21
It is difficult living during these times...we feel comfortable yet so restless, so wanting. We want so much. But what do we need in this life? What is absolutely necessary? Do we strive for the necessary "goods", i.e. God and eternal life, or do we get too caught up in the material sideshow here on earth?
Living in a country that has so much it never ceases to amaze me how unhappy we are. The divorce rate is ridiculously high as is the crime rate and teen suicide. Monetarily we are advancing but morally we are falling apart. What is necessary in this day and age are families committed to being holy families, willing to sacrifice the attraction of this world for eternal happiness in the next. This is what will genuinely improve the quality of our lives and our society.
May we all be willing to take up our cross and follow Christ.
In Christ,
Joe