Materialism vs. Contentment: A Mental Health Issue

I feel so blessed that my children are still too young to be affected by materialism. (Their Mommy is another story.) I know that confronting it is inevitable. I couldn't help but nod along with Jon Acuff as I read this post a few weeks ago called, "Raising Dorks."

Then today, I saw this headline in the Atlanta paper and was curious to read the accompanying article. I was astounded to see that culture and materialism was one of the chief factors identified as contributing to the mental health issues that many young people are facing. It is now not just moral, it is mental...and according to Scripture, spiritual.

"True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth." Timothy 6:6 The New Living Translation

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought." Matthew 5:5 The Message

The world will always have its troubles. Parenthood, adolescence, life, will bring its challenges. But the Word of God is living and active. There is truth in these pages that will bring life to our dry bones.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NIV)

We wring our hands and seek counsel from the world around us, but may we never forget the life-giving gift of Scripture!