The Church should realize that our citizenship is not on this earth and that we should place our goal in eternity. Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). Consumerism is a means that encourages the accumulation of things, money or services without account. After Industrial Revolution especially in the twentieth century when production increased, consumerism also increased amongst mankind. We see in the modern generation a manner in which everything is seen through the eyes of materialism. This is the specialty of consumerism. In the face of consumerism many a time morality and Christian values are questioned. The present generation lives in a culture of consumerism. It is the duty of the Church to teach the Christian response to this consumerism. Even relationships are seen in the light of consumerism and so many lose Christian values. Relationships that have profit in mind will never attain strength. Christian way of giving and sacrifice is a challenge to the very culture of consumerism.

1. Modern Version of Consumerism (Genesis 3: 1- 7)
Simple lifestyle and protection of environment stays away from the thoughts of consumerism. The thought behind this is that acceptance will be given in the society only if we have expensive jewelry, luxury vehicles and clothes. It is not only that we sell ourselves but also that we allow multi-national companies to grow. Small scale industries and agro products of our land are not encouraged. This is a manifestation of the evil and sin of today’s society. Consumerism encourages man to sin. “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it (Genesis 3: 6). This is how evil is first recorded. This was the cunningness of the snake. The present day temptations are also like this. The community which leads a simple life is tempted by multinational companies and their advertisements. Children, youth and adults are equally enslaved to this culture.

2. Model a Simple Lifestyle (Matt. 6: 25- 34)
Christianity teaches simple lifestyle. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with it (I Timothy 6: 8). Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and trap. They also become a prey to many desires. God is powerful to give us everything that we need. God exhorts man, who gets agitated about his various needs, by asking him not to worry about what he will eat or drink or wear (Matt. 6: 25- 34). We are to seek His kingdom and righteousness. This means that if the kingdom is established we will get all we want from there.

3. Make Eternity the Goal (Philippians 3: 17- 21)
The love and affinity to this world will decrease only if there is a definite vision and desire for eternity. Friendship with the world means enmity against God (James 4: 4). “For everything in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2: 16, 17). To go behind just material desires is going against the cross in itself. Their destiny is destruction and their God is their stomach is what Paul says. Christian spirituality is the spirituality of simplicity. Materials can be categorized into four as desirous, unwanted, needful and essential. Christ teaches us to take only what is essential.