The whole world does it, but I think that Chile is trying so hard to keep up with the western world, and it is more pronounced here because poor Chileans associate stuff with success or even becoming rich, and here it is so much more evident because of the VERY LARGE divide of classes. What am I talking about?....consumerism, and I have never in my life seen people sell their families, their freedoms, and knowledge for some stuff like Chile does. The pursuit of a westernized life here is so pronounced, that marketing to Chileans is an art for the most artful of business owners. If you knew about the copyright infringement that was seen in large stores here you would probably laugh your butt off....When you walk around Chile you see everything run down and ill taken care of. Police stations and hospitals are run down. Homes are gated because if you haven't been stolen from, you will be. Public schools and libraries are not wonderous places of learning, and yet there are metro stops going straight to malls, not just any malls but some of the most luxurious malls that you have ever seen, in some of the poorest areas. People are trying to pursue an image that they see on television to make them feel better about themselves. A work week here is morning until night, most mothers work and families are very small.. Most wealthy families have a nana and barely see their children at all. Many kids are left to raise themselves basically on the street indulging in drugs and other "extracurricular activities". I can't help but think that politicians usually have pockets filled by big name stores instead of caring about the consequences of these actions on entire communities, echoing from generation to generation, the want is out of control. I have seen people pay for McDonalds food on six payments of credit. Never have I seen anyone pay for groceries at the Lider (bought out by Walmart) with cash, it is always with credit, and the person paying doesn't even have a clue about interest as they extend their payments again and again and again.The sad thing is if you ask the average person on the street how the economy is in Chile they usually rave about it, while they have no clue that this cannot go on forever. I obviously see a lesson in this and I think when someone accepts Jesus as their savior it should drastically change their thinking on some level, and I hope it does! But one cannot guarantee this in the church, as I actually think the church has a big role in continuing this cycle in many second and third world countries. How loving can we be if we support a company that moves to Chile and the prices of their product goes up but the pay of the employee drops DRASTICALLY.....American companies are here; Starbucks, Papa Johns, Walmart etc. etc. and pay employees on average about $2.00 an hour (USD) So for example an employee at Starbucks cannot even buy a Latte priced at about $6.00 after working two hours, only to make about $4.00........This is nothing short of modern day slavery....yes the whole system, and I hate to say that The United States plays a huge role in this whole sickness......but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord...what I mean by that is yes we have to live in this world but my walk daily should be in consideration of the "neighbors" around the world that I am hurting by my actions. I could write all day on this subject but I am so tired and I am just going to let you all pray and think on these things. I hope that your day is awesome and your spiritual growth uncharted. Let us look at what Jesus says about this Consumerism, this love of inanimate objects, this desire to have a piece of clothing return us some sort of affection:
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you
have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I
forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
Some
people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced
themselves with many griefs.
(1 Timothy 6:10)
People
who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many
foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
(1 Timothy 6:9)
For the
love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (1 Timothy 6:10)
The
wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an
unscalable wall. (Proverbs 18:11)
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing."
But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and
naked.
(Revelation 3:17)
Whoever
loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never
satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
Man is
a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in
vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. (Psalm 39:6)
For the
sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls
and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade
away even while he goes about his business. (James 1:11)
How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
(Mark 10:23)
It is
easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man
to enter the kingdom of God.
(Mark 10:25)
Now
listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is
coming upon you ... You have lived on earth in luxury and
self-indulgence. (James 5:1-5)
No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love
the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You
cannot serve both God and Money.
(Luke 16:13)
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