prime – (adj) 1. of first importance; main Dictionary
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:� that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” 1 Corinthians 15:3
Amazon Prime Day is almost here. This annual event is bigger and longer than ever – lasting a full 48 hours. July 15-16 the retail giant will have slashed prices on electronics, kitchen gadgets, clothing and toiletries. They are broadcasting videos with shopping tips which, once watched, enter you to win giveaways. There is even a prime day concert this year. Taylor Swift’s picture is on it. I assume that means she’s singing.
I thought about doing a detailed post with pictures and links with all the crazy good deals you can find. Lots of bloggers are, but I decided against it. Full disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. This means that if you purchase anything from Amazon through the links I share, I receive a tiny commission at no additional cost to you. I do this because running this website costs me some money, and as of now, no one is offering to pay me to write. So every little bit helps. And the link at the top of this post is my affiliate link. If you click it you will see what Amazon is planning and if you purchase through it I will benefit. But honestly, I’m not pushing you to purchase.
Why has Prime Day even become a thing? My guess is because there is a lull in all major buying holidays in July and the retail geniuses at the Zon came up with a marketing strategy we couldn’t resist. Sale prices from the comfort of our homes with free two day delivery on top.
I’ve been reading A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle. My daughter’s youth minister gave it to me and I’m getting so many great tips on how to have conversations with her about the world we have created for ourselves to live in. And we ARE having good discussions. I’m not done reading it yet, but it’s so good I might continue to reference it another 2 or 10 times. What I did not expect from it, was to feel personal conviction for some things I have been a little (or a lot) too complicit in. When I started thinking about a Prime Day post, chapter 12 on Affluence and Consumerism was all I could think about. Not deep discounts on Fire TVs and designer clothes, but the $1.2 trillion dollars Americans spend annually on “nonessential goods like jewelry, alcohol, candy, recreational vehicles, gambling, and more.”
Now, while some struggle with debt, many can easily afford these luxuries, but at what cost? Americans have “more money, disposable income material goods, technology, leisure time, vacations, square footage in our homes, quality health care, computers, cars, and conveniences than past Americans. We have more wealth and more possessions than any civilization in the history of humanity.” It sounds like we should be happier. But that’s far from the case. “Americans today report more symptoms of depression and anxiety than over the past 50 years”, and so much depression among young people that teens and pre-teens from affluent, well-educated families are the newest identified “at-risk” group!
Stonestreet and Kunkle believe that “beneath consumerism, idolatry lurks. It sells an approach to life that says, ‘I’m the center of the universe. Everything exists to meet my needs and satisfy my desires.'” But when our stuff fails to make us happier, more important or personally better; we, like Solomon, discover that it is all meaningless. Stuff may make us temporarily feel better, but the feeling never lasts, and often masks a need for true heart change. We can’t live in order to consume when we are made to contribute. I know I can do better with the resources God has so generously given me.
Now that I have been a huge internet downer, let me bring things around to say that I do believe – like the authors state – that God created us with the capacity for pleasure. He is so kind in this. And we can love the good things He gives us as long as our love for Him is not eclipsed. Let’s keep first things first. So if you have delayed gratification on that Instant Pot or want to get some discounted Christmas shopping done early, by all means thoughtfully hit up the Amazon sales. And if you do, please use my link above. I’ll be so grateful! And thanks for reading.
That’s such an interesting point about God creating us with the capacity for pleasure… definitely one to think about as I reflect on my habits as a consumer! Thank you for sharing this x
Anastasia | MightyMemos.com
Thank you, Anastasia!
I doubt I’ll be buying anything!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer!
Amen, Lauren! Having things is fine as long as nothing is treasured above God.
Blessings!
Yes, Martha. I must admit to convicting myself doing research for this.
Thanks, Lauren. It’s so important to make purchasing decisions wisely and thoughtfully rather than blindly following the hype. Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s good for you to own. Thanks for your thoughtful warning.
You are so right, Christine. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Thanks for sharing this book! I need to read it and share with my two teenage sons. I love the reality you share about so much stuff. This is a good reminder with the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and amazon prime sale going on.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I would recommend this book to anyone who has teens. Excellent conversation starters.
Lovely post, Lauren. I do agree that consumerism is sucking out all the happiness from us. I have declared the month of July as “Clearing out” month. It feels so good to get all the junk out and have space to think. Thank you. Blessings to you.
I have been cleaning out my closet. Much needed.
Lauren, hi! So much food for thought here this morning. But this, right here, is sheer gold –>’ we can love the good things He gives us as long as our love for Him is not eclipsed. Let’s keep first things first.’
Thank you …
Thank you, Linda. I always enjoy hearing from you.
I learned a long time ago that buying stuff isn’t going to make you happy, whether it is Goodwill or the mall, even online. People need people, bottom line, and they do themselves and their children a disservice. word of wisdom, don’t just throw money at a problem or a person.
Good word, Rebecca.
What a great analogy Lauren!
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
My pleasure, Patsy.
What a great and clever post! Yes, God needs to be the priority in our life, and when He is we find the peace and joy that is beyond the English language, possible any language. God is good! Many Thanks 8)
God is good indeed. Thanks, Debra.
I didn’t buy anything on Prime Day since I didn’t need anything. Fortunately it’s not my nature to be a big shopper. But either way, I appreciate your balanced approach. That sounds like a great book.
Thanks, Lisa. I was preaching to myself on this one.
I didn’t buy anything. Usually, I do but for some reason, I just thought there is nothing we really need, plus it saves us money not giving in to the temptation of it. 🙂
So right, Nichole. This message was for me as much as anyone.
Practical and true and happy to exchange affiliate links with you anytime! ! PS I’ve just begun memorizing Phil 3:7-14 I suspect it will take me a year, but I love the whole idea of gaining Christ!! Even as I love to shop and get good deals!
I think it is possible to do both! laurensparks.net
There is a certain amount of things or possessions we need for comfort, warmth, etc but so many things that we buy without thinking and I find the more I purchase the more I feel guilty and although at the time it is a rush of pleasure I think about when do clean outs and how the stuff that once seemed important was just wasteful and is adding to landfill and then I feel sad. Great post! #AbloggingGoodTime
I am with you, Kylie. In a lot of ways, I think extra income is a mixed blessing. Thanks for reading.