Does Consumer Culture Keep You From God’s Best? // Passionate Series Part 6

Does consumer culture keep you from God’s best? Let’s learn how
consumer culture holds you back, and how the shift from
“consumer” to “contributor” can change your life and give more
glory to God.





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As Americans, we’re good at being served. That’s because our
society (and most of the world) has moved from a “producer
culture” to a “consumer culture.” Companies keep providing
customers with higher and higher levels of service. It’s hard not
to get too comfortable when you’re used to that kind of customer
care!





But what happens when consumer culture creeps into the church?
Will we miss out on some of what God has for us?





One of our core values at 2Rivers Church is, “We are spiritual
contributors, not just consumers.” And even though being a
spiritual consumer isn’t wrong in and of itself, God wants more
from us—and for us.





WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A CONSUMER AND A CONTRIBUTOR?





A consumer is a person who purchases goods and services for
personal use. More broadly speaking, to be a consumer is to
receive or be served. On the other hand, a contributor is someone
who gives something to help someone else achieve or obtain
something. 





It’s not wrong to be a spiritual consumer. We all need to
“consume” at some level—the Bible, good teaching, and worship
music, for example. The problem is when we consume more than we
contribute. God wants us to be both consumers and contributors.





WHY SHOULD I BE A CONTRIBUTOR?





1. Because the Christian life is not about you.





Jesus is our example. He didn’t come so people would serve Him—He
came to serve! Jesus spent His ministry teaching, healing, and
helping people. He even gave His life for us! Let’s learn from
that kind of humility.





See 2 Corinthians 5:15 and Mark 9:35.





2. Because it’s your created purpose.





To be a contributor is to acknowledge that God created us for
more than personal gratification. The Apostle Paul writes, “For
we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).





See also 1 Corinthians 12:12, 14–15, 1 Corinthians 12:18, and 1
Corinthians 12:27 (NLT).





3. Because God uses it to capture the hearts of others.





When you become a contributor and not just a consumer, others see
God working through you.





See Matthew 5:16.





HOW DO I BUCK CONSUMER CULTURE AND BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR?





1. Lean into the One who first served us.





Jesus lived a life of service. His contribution to the world
changed everything for us. Even on the last week of His life on
Earth, He exemplified service by washing His disciples’ dirty,
dusty feet. Let’s follow His example.





See Mark 10:45 and John 13:15.





2. Jump in and start using your gifts.





How has God blessed you? Find ways to use your time and talents
to serve others. That doesn’t just mean volunteering at church
(which we encourage), but turning your whole life into a life of
service.





See 1 Peter 4:10.





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2Rivers Church in O’Fallon, MO, exists to help people become
passionate followers of Jesus. 





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RESOURCES FOR YOU


Find ways to be a contributor by volunteering at 2Rivers:
https://www.2riverschurch.com/serving.html 


Find out what we believe here:
https://www.2riverschurch.com/whatwebelieve.html


Struggling and need prayer? We’d love to pray for you. Submit a
prayer request here: 
https://2rivers.churchcenter.com/people/forms/29709





Explore our message series here:
https://www.youtube.com/@2RiversChurch/playlists 





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