Would Jesus Drive A Mercedes?

Consumption rates in the United States never cease to grow and often compete with those Christians who are wealthily able to participate in consuming at outrageous rates. We are faced with a dilemma as “blessed” Christians. Can we pursue God whole heartedly while being surrounded by the material items of this world? As Christians, we are taught that we are not supposed to put our hope in earthly things, because our treasures are in Heaven. At the end of the day we can still pursue Christ while being privileged Christians, although it may be more difficult for some than others.

We have to step back and consider the importance of balance. Overconsumption was not God’s will for our lives, but He also did not intend for us to live on the streets, for example, when we’ve been given blessings, blessings that can reach many people and potentially lead them to Christ. As Christians, we are encouraged to turn to scripture when faced with ethical dilemmas, such as this one. Luke 16:13 says “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Our responsibility as Christ followers is to follow Christ as closely as we can, no matter how many diamonds we own or how big our house is. But what happens when your’e surrounded by an abundance of both wealth and religion, so much so, that it literally suffocates you...?

Because I am from an Upper class family, I identify quite closely with the overconsumption crisis. My parents are fortunate enough to be able to give me everything I could possibly ever need, and so much more. Daily, I struggle with the competition between my thirst for material items and my thirst for Christ’s love. I grew up in the Church and was taught not to store up earthly treasures. Instead I was supposed to focus my energy on my relationship with Jesus, because real treasures are found in Him and in Heaven. But this is hard to do when your’e getting dropped off at Sunday school in a new Mercedes, wearing a pair of $300 shoes. Because of this, I often find myself putting my hope into worldly things out of habit, mostly because of what I grew up surrounded by in my “Christian bubble”.

As I grew up in the South, I was surrounded by an overwhelming amount of wealthy Christians. My environment shaped my Christian ethical outlook and narrowed it to a small percentage of extremely blessed individuals. My Church body and private Christian school were both comprised of upper class people, stay at home moms, and country music stars who lived in big houses, had luxurious things, and drove exotic cars. There was no one I knew who wasn’t a Christian. There was also no one I knew who wasn’t blessed with wealth and access to the many material possessions that most people in this world are not. Over the years this caused an internal struggle that I consistently deal with to this day. Weren’t we taught to give up our wealth to follow Jesus? Well, every Sunday everyone (including my family) was writing fat checks for the Church, worshiping the Lord, and then driving away in their Mercedes. So, we were generously giving like we are taught to do, but still maintaining our over the top and lavish lifestyles.

As I grew older I wanted to experience a different kind of Christianity, a kind that I had only read about on the Internet or saw sad commercials about on the television. In high school I branched out and traveled to other areas of the country for mission work so that I could experience the love of Christ in impoverished areas, where they literally had no material items to distract them from Christ’s love. These interactions gave me a new perspective on the way I had been living my life. The brothers and sisters in Christ that I interacted with, barely had enough food to eat and ridiculously small homes, yet they were consumed by the love of Christ. There was a light that shown in each and every one of them that I will never forget. After each mission trip I went back home to my big house and nice cars and Christian community. I knew I had to make some adjustments in my life, so I began volunteering with my Church, serving the homeless, and stepping outside of that "bubble." Christ taught me on those life changing trips that overconsumption will be something that I will always struggle with, but by staying active and aware in my community and conversing with those who are less blessed, I will find hope in Him and learn not to rely on what wealth can bring me, but rather what He can bring me.

It’s hard to consume responsibly when you can afford luxurious things and follow Christ at the same time, and still do mission work, and still give money to the church, and other organizations on top of it all. It is a challenge to have access to wealth and to not invest myself in it. As Christians, our job is to pursue Christ no matter the dollar amount in our bank account. I am trying to minimize my consumption of earthly things, because they distract me from what I believe to be truly important. We can pursue Christ while being privileged Christians. As we have been blessed, our duty is to be overly generous so that we may be closer to Him and His kingdom.

After all, WWJD?
Courtney