Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:2
Fourth, refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry. Timesaving devices almost never save time. Beware of the promise, “It will pay for itself in six months.” Most gadgets are built to break down and wear out and so complicate our lives rather than enhance them.
This problem is a plague in the toy industry. Children do not need to be entertained by dolls that cry, eat, wet, sweat, and spit. An old rag doll can be more enjoyable and more lasting. Often children find more joy in playing with old pots and pans than with the latest space set. Look for toys that are educational and durable. Make some yourself.
Usually gadgets are an unnecessary drain on the energy resources of the world, The United States has less than six percent of the world’s population, but consumes about thirty-three percent of the world’s energy. Air conditioners in the United States alone use the same amount of energy as does the entire country of China. Environmental responsibility alone should keep us from buying the majority of the gadgets produced today.
Propagandists try to convince us that because the newest model of this or that has a new feature (trinket?), we must sell the old one and buy the new one. Sewing machines have new stitches, stereos have new buttons, cars have new designs. Such media dogma needs to be carefully scrutinized. Often “new” features seduce us into buying what we do not need. Probably that refrigerator will serve us quite well for the rest of our lives even without the fancy exterior.”
Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 92-93.
The prophet Isaiah makes an invitation to all who thirst to come to God and get that which satisfies. Simultaneously, he wants hearers to avoid spending on stuff that will not satisfy.
The key is to watch out what voices we listen to, especially the propaganda or agenda of the marketers.
Hear me as I spend a weekend with a blessed bloke in sales. There are good things out there that serve us well and spending on them makes sense for us and our families.
I loved Foster’s toy illustration. Imagine reading it in my shoes. I have two granddaughters. They passed 3 years old and 1 year old back in April. When we are together, they love carrying around a baby doll.
And for my American readers, the need for power for everything coupled with a sensitivity to the impact of our lives on the environment led us to get solar panels and an electric car.
Remarkably and providentially, we got a used AWD electric car only 4,000 miles for half price but that’s another story for another day. My point is not to tell you to get an electric car.
My point today aims at raising your awareness to propaganda.
And if these ten posts (that’s right, six more coming) from Foster seem to go from “preaching to meddling” as they say here in the south, well then perhaps just pause. Ask God to guide your response by the Holy Spirit.
The less we listen to propaganda and the more we spend money on things that satisfy, the more margin we have in our lives to live, give, serve, and love generously.
Leaning into that with God today. With you.
And if you are in South Carolina, come hear me preach tomorrow at The Abbey (pictured above at 46 Gathering Lane, Pawleys Island) from 10:30am to 12noon and then we have food and speaking again with Jenni from 5pm to 7pm.