America is a materialistic society. The American Way is to get more money, more stuff, more status, more, more, more….
“Living in a material world
And I am a material girl
You know that we are living in a material world
And I am a material girl”
Madonna released “Material Girl” in the mid 80’s, in the last 30 years our world has become more materialistic than ever. Is it possible to NOT be a material girl (or boy)? Is it possible to raise children in this day and age to NOT be a material girl (or boy)?
I believe that it is possible IF we are purposeful. The key to avoiding materialism is to focus on contentment.
There’s a wonderful book entitled, “Calm My Anxious Heart” by Linda Dillow. The tag line is “A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment.” I believe that’s an interesting and important connection between anxiety and contentment. Contentment is the answer to anxiety and materialism. A grateful heart comes out of contentment and leads to contentment. Anxiety and materialism lead to discontent and come out of discontentment. In this book there a woman named Ella shares her prescription for contentment.
- Never allow yourself to complain about anything—not even the weather.
- Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.
- Never compare your lot with another’s
- Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
- Never dwell on tomorrow—remember that tomorrow is God’s, not ours.
Whoah!! That is an admirable and overwhelming list.
As we think about the young people in our lives, it’s imperative that we remember that most lessons are “caught” not “taught.” The journey to being content must be modeled. The key to NOT raising a material girl (or boy) is model the opposite, model contentment and gratitude.
As we think about the Family Discipleship Path, what is one small step that you can do this week to model contentment? Start with what will be the easiest and move toward steps that will be more difficult.
Please share your step for this week with us so that we can be encouraged and encourage you.
Family Discipleship Path 
Reblogged this on Dadvotionals and commented:
Another great post from a sister in Christ.
this masseges helped my husband who used to play soccer on Sundays. tnx a lot keep on encourages the world.