Gluttony is a funny thing. Ok… so it’s really not, but it’s a funny thing how I’ve grown up seeing it in such a narrow, spiritual perspective.
Gluttony = Eating too much food
Really? Or is there more to it. Good ‘ol wikipedia says it is derived from Latin (the language I took for 4 years and know essentially nothing of) meaning “to gulp down or swallow, means over-indulgence and over-consumption.” It goes on to say of food, but I’m pretty sure that over-indulgence and over-consumption is nearly synonymous with the term American (or really most industrialized nations).
I say all of this because I have found it difficult to break loose from the materialistic gluttony that until recently I have ignored. Although in my defense, it has all just seemed normal to daily life. Sure I remember the occasional Sunday school lesson saying that you “shouldn’t store your treasures on earth,” but why is it that I feel like that message is heavily ignored by the congregation. I find myself filling in my personal time gaps with eBay, Craigslist, or other junk that I really don’t need (nor to I have the wallet to support). In fact, as I have become aware of this and tried to cut it out, I’ve actually found myself periodically bored… a feeling I haven’t felt for a LOOOOOOONG time! How do I now take a break from studying? I’d rather not read some more (my mind is already mushy), and tv only clutters my mind full of more nonsense. Yikes… it’s tough thinking of a quality activity to do every now and then (especially when it’s nasty outside).
It’s really quite sad when you consider how this notion has polluted Christmas as well. The celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior now means that we all get real busy trying to buy stuff, decorate up a tree, and stress out to make a “season” perfect. Meanwhile, we raise our kids to get cranky if they get clothes (personal experience) or toys they didn’t exactly ask Santa for. Maybe some families realize what’s going on here and try to “incorporate” Jesus into Christmas a little bit more, but in reality we continually perpetuate the cycle instead of breaking out of it. I’m not saying that gifts by any means are wrong, but as with most things in life… there’s a balance; we’re currently in the extreme.
Perhaps one of the biggest problems though all of this is how it influences my relationships. If something happens to one of the things I “own,” does it bring on any bit of anger? Can I let someone borrow something without worrying they’ll maybe not treat it as I would? Could my money be spent better by supporting someone who wouldn’t DREAM of buying superficial items when they can’t afford the essentials? Are we too busy perfecting ourselves by not cussing and drinking, or why is it that this doesn’t bother some Christians?
I Soil Myself 