consumed by consumerism

Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
it takes away the life of its possessors.
Proverbs 1:19

I believe the truth of this proverb. Those who are out to profit by manipulation, greed, and oppression will come to a bitter end. The justice they eventually receive will be costly. From God's view, their lives are consumed by their greed and social injustice. They are eaten up by their unjust actions. Their own sin consumes their souls.

Greediness is all around us. Our society does business counting on it. Retailers are 60 days away from Black Friday and are already stocking up to create a consumer feeding frenzy. Social media shows lifestyles of greed on display for the world... even a greed for attention is consuming people... people become brands that other people aspire to be. Pictures of daily life are advertisements for something more. People are a consumer force to influence, sell to, and gain wealth.

Politicians do little to stop this lifestyle, so don't think government will stop greed! Government is practically the definition of it these days! They make promises to end the unjust gain, but then often use their power to keep themselves in power or to gain personal advantage by their position. Ethics are squishy campaign promises forfeited for personal gain when it is most convenient.

All of this human activity in greed ends badly. It consumes the life of the greedy consumer. Unless I choose to be enamored by the gain of knowing Christ, I too can be a victim of my own greediness for unjust gain.