Mammonism has become an extremely prominent, and worse, is increasingly becoming a revered philosophy for many today. Indeed, there’s no debate about the fact that every individual has needs in life. However, the issue becomes problematic when needs become larger than life; when the line between needs and wants blur and wants become the sole goal in life. And the end of wants, as we all know, is like an enormous bottle with a tiny perforation at the bottom. It just doesn’t hold water!
Well some may contend that the philosophy of each individual need not be made a subject of public discourse and left to each to cling to his own. Admittedly, that is a valid proposition. Yet, the intention here is not about taking a high moral-ground and dictate classes of virtuosity to the ‘messy’ world. It is about a larger challenge we face in our lives day in and day out; an invasion that seems to be threatening to take over the very systemic values upon which our humaneness prevail. And when any philosophy becomes conveniently well established disturbing the standing values and meaning of equality and fairness, then doesn’t it become a grave social issue and does not remain a ‘personal thing’ anymore?
Why the madness? Why the craze? Why the insatiability at the skinning cost of fellow beings? Pausing for a moment and asking oneself where one is rushing appears to be a highly-timely mission at this point in time!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI was directed to your blog by an admirer of yours who shall remain nameless for now:).
Thanks for the succinct thought on Mammonism. Here are some personal reflections.
Quite interesting that you also chose the same word Jesus chose- Mammon and not simply money or wealth. Next to the kingdom of God, the subject of Mammon (and not Heaven, Salvation or Sex unlike today's preachers) is the topic Jesus taught/spoke about the most!
Mammon, so used in personalized form coz it has a spiritual force that captivates and binds. To the question as to how much is enough, a billionaire once answered, a little more!
Practising Christian counter cultural values today is what we are called to do but have ignored for the most part. I guess that's why being an authentic follower of Christ is such an adventure and eyebrow raiser these days...
When you have the time, do drop in to the OM Store in Dimapur and look out for Christopher Wright's Old Testament Ethics for the People of God. Excellent chapters on Economy, Justice, Corruption.... I also would recommend Nick Spencer's God & Government even though it's written with UK context in mind.
Keep up the good work. Be different.