What are you going to do with what God has given you…? Material Prosperity or Spiritual Growth – Can you have both?
Vincent Miller reveals how consumerist ideas have crept into our religious activities, by putting more of an emphasis on consumerism than on a deep spiritual connection. This commercialization of religion has the potential to be detrimental. Miller states that people must give up the materialistic ideals embedded in their beliefs if they are to completely experience God’s love.
“We consume not only products and services but also rituals, images, and stories.” (1)
The Commodification of Culture and Consumer Religion
Consumerism has entered our culture and ideas to the point where it is now almost ingrained. In order to regain spiritual progress, this type of commodification advises seeking for alternate answers both within ourselves and within each other. It is easy to assume that in some contexts focusing on the consumerism of religion as a whole has taken away from spiritual practices that would establish a deeper connection with God as a whole.
Clark states that, “In Miller’s theological anthropology and soteriology, such human nature prefers the liberation of the self, where the deepening of agency is likely to be always seen as a restriction on the self.” (2) This means that, through the commodification of goods and services, late capitalism appeals to simplistic desires that conflict with Christian identity and agency. As a result, these desires frequently result in the rejection of any form of Christian identity or autonomy.
Desire and the Kingdom of God and The Politics of Consumption
Desire and God’s Kingdom and Political Economy of Consumption religious ideas have changed as a result of materialism. He discusses how the acceptance of worldly needs as part of religious rituals has obscured the underlying spiritual message of faith.
“Religious experience has become increasingly commodified through religious marketing and the emergence of such forms as ‘religious entertainment.” (3)
Popular Religion in Consumer Culture
Contemporary consumerism and religion have combined to build a culture that glorifies material prosperity. Miller believes that this way of life is motivated by an agenda established by the more privileged few and creates an environment where people are encouraged to place a higher value on financial goals than spiritual ones.
“Religious consumption contributes significantly to our understanding of what religion is today, shaping beliefs and practices as much as it reflects them.” (4)
How can we protect religious customs in modern culture?
Miller claims that the overall ambition of the privileged, encourages people to place a higher priority on worldly purchasing than spiritual growth. This frequently results in negative effects on the economy, society, and religion as a whole. Miller provides insight into why ancient faiths may still be relevant today and how they might help us prioritize spiritual progress over worldly gain by looking at how certain religious beliefs and practices impact our modern lifestyle. An example of this would be living a life of serve to others… It is still to this day seen as a noble pursuit that promotes spiritual growth and values meaningful relationships over material wealth.
“Conspicuous consumption becomes a way of demonstrating virtue, status, or group loyalty in addition to its more obvious economic purpose.” (5)
Overall, Miller’s writing aims to both remind us of the ways in which particular religious ideas might influence our modern lifestyles and to provide light on the reasons why traditional religions are still relevant today. He encourages people to prioritize spiritual progress over worldly gain by utilizing spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, and spiritual discipline, which can increase self-awareness and gratitude for life’s blessings as well as meaningful interactions with others.
(1) Miller, Vincent. “Chapter 1.” Essay. In Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture. New York: Bloomsbury, 2013.
(2) Jason Paul Clark, “Evangelicalism and Capitalism: A Reparative Account and Diagnosis of Pathogeneses in the Relationship” (dissertation, George Fox University, 2018), 227.https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/gfes/198-236.
(3) Miller, Vincent. “Chapter 4.” Essay. In Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture. New York: Bloomsbury, 2013.
(4) Miller, Vincent. “Chapter 6.” Essay. In Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture. New York: Bloomsbury, 2013.
(5) Miller, Vincent. “Chapter 7.” Essay. In Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture. New York: Bloomsbury, 2013.
About the Author
Alana Hayes
Alana is a mother to four beautiful children and wife to a farmer in Texas. She is an avid world traveler with a heart for both the world and education. She is the president of the nonprofit Against the Grain Texas where they focus on providing education to children overseas and at risk adults in the states. To date the nonprofit has given almost $100,000 to individuals around the world. In her free time she loves spending meaningful time with people and reading to further her personal education.5 responses to “What are you going to do with what God has given you…? Material Prosperity or Spiritual Growth – Can you have both?”
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Hey Alana,
Thank you for taking this in a nuanced way. Yes, it isn’t as simple as “Just don’t give in to capitalism.” This is the water we swim in. Now the question is, “How then shall we live? How do we faithfully follow God while exiled in Babylon.” Great post!
Alana,
Great blog!
I liked the additional resource you found and how it contributed to the discussion on consumerism.
I also liked your summary:
“He encourages people to prioritize spiritual progress over worldly gain by utilizing spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, and spiritual discipline, which can increase self-awareness and gratitude for life’s blessings as well as meaningful interactions with others.”
I believe you were committed to not spending over a certain budget In January. You posted this on Facebook. It was a beginning of the year discipline. I am curious how this month went? What did you and your family learn? I think this was a good spiritual discipline. Was this ‘disciplined budget month’ a good way of curbing consumerism for your family?
Great job Texas friend!
Hello,
This month was so good for us and for our kids. It made all of us be accountable and prioritize our household needs. Do you need to buy trash bags…. or do you have some grocery sacks we could use in the meantime? It allowed for intentionality on a whole new level. As we were deep in the experiment it actually brought back memories of growing up at the farm with my grandparents. They used what they had and didn’t go into town or order what they needed on the internet every day like I do now. I could see us doing this every year as we picked up some great habits to carry with us the rest of the year.
Alana – I appreciate your reference to David Clough’s book. I’m going to add that to my list of “want-to-read.” I’ve been struggling with the pros/cons of having a Kingdom-focused business, and it sounds like that book could help me out. Thank you!
Alana,
You noted that there is a shift of value from spiritual to financial. A value shift is so hard to overcome. As the church we have seen this shift take place in many ways and now there is a movement to shift the church away from where it has been heading in this consumerism. I wonder if the saying “If we know better we will do better.” will work out for the church in the generations to come.