Our next-door neighbor comes home with a new purchase (new car, new riding mower, new fishing rod, new patio furniture, new whatever) and we go native, much like the South Pacific islanders mentioned in my previous blog.
We pray the consumer gods will send to us a cargo container from across the sea.
We imagine how life for us would be better, if we too had a newer family vehicle, a larger house, a faster computer, nicer clothing, better power tools, greener grass.
And before we know it, we start to shape our life around this burning desire to acquire.
It starts with a little surfing the Web, checking out the best prices for this or that, mostly to convince ourselves that we have been responsible consumers.
It continues with a visit to the car showroom, the shopping mall, or the home improvement store, "just to look." And the deal is sealed when we scan the credit cards in our wallet and begin to consider the financing options.
We may tell ourselves "no" at some point in the hunt, just to feel good about ourselves. But it is of no use. Our desire is too much. The current is too strong. And eventually, we know in our heart of hearts, the cargo container will be ours, one way or another.
This is the way it goes with consumer desire, or lust and covetousness of any sort. Once we see something we want and become convinced "it was meant to be," there is no stopping us, even if we don't have the money.
We will have whatever causes our consumer hearts to burn.
It is cult-like behavior to be sure. It is a religion in itself, complete with a god (self-fulfillment), sacraments (credit card and loan applications), sanctification (improving credit card scores), justification (acquisition), and salvation (consumption).
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