Respectable Sins of Christmas #2 - Consumerism

For many people, when they think of Christmas, they think of gifts. Gift-giving has become a cherished tradition, and—as with almost every tradition—there are always those who will try to profit from it. Some will blame this on capitalism, but the reality is that this impulse is as old as human history itself. Even in the Bible, Jesus rebukes people for turning the temple into a den of robbers.

Now, exchanging gifts and making money are not sinful in themselves. In fact, they can be good and godly things. Gift-giving can make Christmas a season of generosity and hospitality. But there is a danger—often hidden, yet increasingly obvious—that we need to name: consumerism.

Consumerism is the culture of continual acquisition of goods or services with the hope that what we buy will give us identity, happiness, or a sense of worth. And here we cross the line from a good tradition of generosity into the realm of idolatry.

To be clear, the Christmas season does not create consumerism, but it certainly provides an occasion for it to surface—and often without restraint. Buying excessively becomes normal, expected, even celebrated. At the same time, this season can also expose the opposite sin. Those who are ungenerous or who love money may feel irritated or resentful at the social pressure to give gifts or host others. In this way, Christmas becomes a revealing season. It exposes our loves, our priorities, and the hidden idols of our hearts.

One of the central problems with consumerism is the attempt to find happiness, joy, and identity through purchasing. Jesus warns us plainly in Luke 12:15: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” The ability to buy things is a gift, but our lives do not consist of what we can afford. We are not better or worse people because we can buy more, because we access certain brands, or because we can afford certain experiences. Our true value is found in bearing the image of God and belonging to Christ.

Jesus also warns us about misplacing our treasure. In Matthew 6:19–21 He says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The most important treasures are not financial, nor are they the things money can buy. They are real, but of a different order. The treasures worth pursuing are the eternal realities of the Kingdom of God. Earthly possessions will pass away, but love, faith, obedience, and everything done for Christ carry an eternal weight of glory.

Still, the answer to consumerism is not miserliness. These are two sides of the same sinful coin—two expressions of the same idolatry of money. One spends to find meaning; the other withholds to find security. The Christian path is different. We are called to stewardship: using our resources wisely, honouring God with what we have, and directing our spending in ways that reflect the values of Christ’s Kingdom.

Our giving, our hosting, and even our gift-exchanging should point beyond themselves—bearing fruit that lasts into eternity and making Christ visible through how we use what He has entrusted to us.

Nino Marques