Christian Consumers

Look around the country today and you will find a consumer-driven culture. We want so much stuff! Even when the things we have are still in good working order, we are not content. We desire upgrades, latest models, and a surplus of similar products to own. Our consumer mindset tells us that we deserve to have everything we want, and nothing better get in the way of our instant gratification. We will not abide being inconvenienced the least bit or having our special requests go ungranted. We demand to have our way!

Christians fight against this worldly materialistic attitude. It is dangerous to become so stuff-oriented and so self-centered. The consumer-driven mindset it especially harmful when it is seen in our spiritual life. Far too many members of the church see themselves as Christian consumers, the “paying customers” of organized religion. The dissatisfied Christian may say something like, “I give my contribution, if this church won’t do things my way, I’ll find a church that will.” Sadly, many Christians have done just that. They leave the truth to find more agreeable teaching elsewhere. Sadder still are the individuals who “win” the argument, using their dollars to corrupt doctrine.

It is not for us to “have it our way” in religion. In fact, Christians are instructed to deny self and no longer live for self (Luke 9:23; Gal 2:20). Rather, we must all concern ourselves with God’s way – the Way (Jer 6:16; John 14:6; Acts 24:14). Members of the church need to understand this truth: we are servants, not customers! We need to be pleasing to God, but many have this backwards. They seem to think God needs to be pleasing to them! To them we say, “do not forget who formed you!” (Isa 29:16; Rom 9:20). It is required that Christians be submissive to Christ. The body of believers takes orders from Christ, the head (Eph 1:22-23; 5:24). When some matter of Christ’s doctrine offends or challenges me, that’s not the time to complain or to leave the brethren. That’s when I need to lay aside wickedness and walk in the law of liberty (Jam 1:21-25). 

Additionally, the faithful are meant to be submissive to one another. There will always be personal preferences and differences of opinion in a congregation. If we aren’t cautious, these can become seeds of division. Learn to look beyond selfish ambition because we have a higher calling (Eph 5:21; Php 2:1-4; 1 Pet 5:5). As one preacher put it, “We must not love our opinions more than we love our brethren.” Remember this is a mark of our Christianity (John 13:34-35; Rom 12:9-10; 1 Pet 1:22). On doctrinal issues, we do it Christ’s way. On matters of opinion, we lovingly submit one to another. Let’s not be Christian consumers, let’s be selfless servants!