Materialism and Fashion

from the mom

I am not a huge shopper nor do I have an overwhelming interest in fashion. However, as I have approached middle-aged, I have found myself more interested in higher quality, higher priced fashion, probably because it looks better. And I have spent more time in recent days trying to balance the tension between honoring the creativity and desire for beauty God has put in my heart with abhorring the sin of materialism and the desire to buy, buy, buy that feeds my selfish nature.

I do a pretty good job of not spending a lot on clothing. I have become adept at shopping garage sales for the kids and consignment stores for myself. In fact, I feel guilty if I spend more than about $30 on myself every month.

Every once in a while I have to do an "idol check." What things in my life take up a lion's share of my contemplation? Food, entertainment, lust for my own home and new furniture, or just plain obsession with our finances? They all threaten to take my focus off where it needs to be from time to time. Fashion is not my big one, but after my recent splurges, I had to give it some thought.