If you care about the poor, as Jesus said to, I’m recommending a site to read.

Anup Shah, Consumption and Consumerism, GlobalIssues.org, Last updated: Wednesday, September 03, 2008

There was once a rich man who wore expensive clothes and every day ate the best food. But a poor beggar named Lazarus was brought to the gate of the rich man’s house. He was happy just to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. His body was covered with sores, and dogs kept coming up to lick them. The poor man died, and angels took him to the place of honor next to Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. He went to hell and was suffering terribly.

When he looked up and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side, he said to Abraham, “Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch my tongue. I’m suffering terribly in this fire.”

Abraham answered, “My friend, remember that while you lived, you had everything good, and Lazarus had everything bad. Now he is happy, and you are in pain. And besides, there is a deep ditch between us, and no one from either side can cross over.”

But the rich man said, “Abraham, then please send Lazarus to my father’s home. Let him warn my five brothers, so they won’t come to this horrible place.”

Abraham answered, “Your brothers can read what Moses and the prophets wrote. They should pay attention to that.” Then the rich man said, “No, that’s not enough! If only someone from the dead would go to them, they would listen and turn to God.”

So Abraham said, “If they won’t pay attention to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even to someone who comes back from the dead.”

Luke 16:19-31 (CEV)

Dear Lord,

I’m the rich man in the parable you told. Forgive me Lord for being caught up in consuming everything imaginable. It’s horrifying to think of the evils that I have been a part of, in living a greedy and self-centered life. You have blessed America, but we have cursed the rest of the world, and we don’t deserve your blessing. Father, please help us. Please forgive us.

Lord, I pray that through the situations of our day – economically, environmentally, politically – you would supernaturally bring your revelation to your people and to all people, about the TRUE nature of Christianity. The realization that we need to die to self. Give up this world’s way of living completely, and instead surrender our lives in sacrifice.

Please help me to sacrifice my own pleasures and laziness, and instead find the ways that you have called me to of impacting the world around me with LIFE. Lord, I surrender my heart’s desires to you. I am a tool in your hand, not for the purpose of being entertained or of making as much money as possible. My life is only worthwhile if I die, and YOU live through me. Father, I am weak, but please make me strong enough to stand against the media, the society, the lies of the advertisers, and even the weaknesses in the church. Please help me to live a different life, a sustainable life, for your glory and kingdom.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.