Youth Culture Today with Walt Mueller

Anti-Materialism Parenting

Episode Notes

Perhaps you’ve seen the bumper sticker that reads, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” That little saying captures the philosophy of life known as materialism. Sadly, it’s a philosophy of life embraced by most people in our American culture. It’s also the way of life embraced by our children and teens as they follow our example, believing the lie that each new purchase and acquisition will somehow bring meaning, purpose, and satisfaction in life. Webster’s dictionary defines materialism as the doctrine that the only or the highest values lie in material well-being, and a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things. Our kids are hammered every day by a marketing machine that feeds this idolatry, teaching them to think about money and wealth, rather than about God. Parents, are you living your life as an example that tells the truth?