Recently, a video was shared with me in which Alan Hirsch warns that consumerism has negatively impacted evangelism
God has been stirring me on this subject lately, and it’s important to several of the leaders I coach.
Consumerism is a spiritual problem. Hirsch correctly points out that consumerism is an alternative religion. Too often people find themselves looking for purpose, meaning, significance, belonging, or community in consumption.
This has co-opted much of the church growth movement. Lack of focus on death to self, salvation without deep repentance, etc., are becoming increasingly serious issues in the church. When faith and consumerism have been blended, discipleship becomes more difficult.
Working over zealously against consumerism, however, can lead us to under-emphasize some important Scriptural promises and truths. We cannot please God unless we believe (rightly) in his existence and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. We must trust that he is a father who gives good gifts and that he has told us these things “so that [we] may have life, and life to the full (abundantly)”, as well as joy (John 10:10).
Many of the passages about death to self and losing everything for the kingdom pair that idea with gaining things of greater value. Is there a variety of consumerism in God’s call to count the cost, if we believe that those who count correctly will choose to make the exchange? Is there not some truth to the idea that biblically, death to self and deeper spiritual growth come partly through such spiritual consumerism, or as Piper says, Christian hedonism*?
So, how do you think we rightly balance these truths? In what ways do we create obstacles for people coming to Christ and growing into real disciples when we under-sell or over-sell those promises?
(*Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper (Multnomah, 2011) p.24)