The Futility of a Consumption Economy

Deuteronomy 31:20: In the Bible God tells us of the futility of a consumption economy. A consumption economy is when consumption of material goods becomes a way of life. This usually happens in societies that have abundance of material goods. God knows it is man's nature that when material things are in abundant that people will turn away from God (Deuteronomy 31:20, “For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.”). The futility of all this is that the “consumers” of a consumption economy are so busy consuming material things that they turn away from God. God desires us to have material things, but not to put these things above Him. This is the sin and is disobedient to God. As God's creatures how can we turn away from God, our Creator?

Deuteronomy 31:20 tells us about the futility of a consumption economy. In this verse, God told Israel in the Wilderness that they would turn away from Him when they reached the land of “milk and honey”. They would turn away from God because they had “filled themselves and waxen fat”. This is what happens to “consumers” in a consumption economy. Consumers by their name are focused on consuming materials things. With their houses, cars, electronics, entertainment, and food, they have no room for God.

In the Bible, God has given us Israel as an example of the dangers and sins of a consumption economy. God has also given us Jesus Christ as the answer for the sins of a consumption economy today. Jesus can deliver us from the consequences of sin and separation from God that comes with putting material things above God.

DEUTERONOMY 31 BIBLE SCRIPTURE Deuteronomy 31:20, “For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.”