The nature of materialism is destructive. 1 Timothy 6:9, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
- Materialism destroys marriages (James 4:2). In 90% of divorce cases, arguments about money play a prominent role. James 4:2 puts it “…You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight…” When the desire for more conceives, it gives birth to conflict.
- Materialism destroys the parent/child relationship (Proverbs 22:6). The PBS documentary “Affluenza” said that the average American spends six hours shopping each week and only 40 minutes with their kids. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” This takes time, which you won’t have if you’re pursuing the accumulation of more stuff.
- Materialism destroys happiness (Matthew 16:19). People who have accumulated lots of stuff statistically aren’t happy, rather they are anxious. The more stuff you have, the more you have to worry about. Every item I add to my possessions is one more thing to think about, talk about, clean, repair, rearrange and replace when it goes bad. John D. Rockefeller said “I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” // W.H. Vanderbilt said “The care of $200 million is enough to kill anyone. There is no pleasure in it.” // Henry Ford said “I was happier when doing a mechanic’s job.” Having lots of things doesn’t make you happy, it makes you anxious. Materialism is the mother of anxiety, not happiness. No wonder Jesus said in Matthew 16:19, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth…”
- Materialism destroys your relationship with God (1 Timothy 6:10). We know that sin separates us from God. Well, when you love things more than God you break the first and second commandments (to have no other god before the one true God and not to make idols in your life). // When you work so much that you don’t have a weekly Sabbath’s day’s rest, you break God’s fourth commandment (to honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy by doing no work). // Just this week I read how a 23 year old got his father drunk and then ran him over with his car to collect on insurance money. This guy’s greed caused him to break the sixth commandment (you shall not murder). // Every form of theft breaks God’s eight commandment (thou shall not steal). // And every time you desire your neighbor’s house, car or spouse you break God’s tenth commandment (thou shall not covet). I don’t know of any other single sin that simultaneously breaks so many of the 10 commandments as the sin of materialism does.