Ungodly Home Economics
November 30,2024
https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/news/2024/11/27 — “Holiday spending in 2024 may hit record $989 billion…”
Now, one of the major reasons people gave for the motivation to vote in the 2024 Presidential Election was the high Cost of Living.
Yet Holiday spending this year is pushing one trillion dollars!
As a Born Again Bible Believing Christian, I ask, “What’s wrong with this picture?”
My family just gathered for a sumptuous dinner, and there was just as much leftovers as found their way into our bloated bellies.
We ‘re all Working Class
My wife is a part time Home Health Care Aide, and our combined annual income is less than the Standard Federal Deduction. While my credit card use is out of hand, we are getting by rather comfortably. (I do realize that the day will come when I have to pay the piper.)
I try to donate to charity when and where I can, but it’s never enough.
None of us are anywhere close to being homeless.
Again, I ask, “What is wrong with this picture?”
Now, I’m a Techno-idiot and wrote an essay about it.
I recently realized that I am also an Econo-idiot.
Here’s the reason, I am not stupid (yeah, I know, that’s a matter of opinion,,,), but being hard-headed and slow on the uptake, I keep on making the same mistake, and as a student of the Bible, this pattern should have been established in my life long, long ago: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.” — Proverbs 5:5–7, Good News Translation.
I am using this translation , because it uses the most direct and easy-to-understand language. In addition, there is this caveat:
“Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!” — John 13:17, ibid.to get across
To wrap this up, what I am trying to convey as an answer to my question, “Isn’t there a better way? “
First, do you think the following is an accurate portrayal?
There is rampant consumerism going on now, and it is based on a malignant materialism in which people are chasing the elusive and imaginary American Dream. We do so, so intently and so blindly, following the shiny objects in order to gain that elusive condition we call “Happiness,” we are missing out on what is so much greater…
There is a real battle going on between materialism and a godly bent to existential transcendence, answering the question, “Isn’t there a better way?”
By the way, the phrase “existential transcendence” means this to me: “…the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.” — Micah 6:8, ibid.
Here’s an essay I wrote earlier to express my concerns:
https://medium.com/@68dlh1592/my-annual-christmas-complaint-cdbef2abcd6a
Still and all, people act like a stampeding herd of cattle. (Have you ever seen videos of the Black Friday crush to get into the stores?) This is not why we exist. It is not the life God wants for us.
Jesus taught this: “So don’t ever worry by saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ because it is the unbelievers who are eager for all those things. Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them! But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well. So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:31–34, International Standard Version.
And finally, Jesus offers this touchstone:
“…I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.…” — John 10:9–11, Berean Standard Bible.
