Background Material on Consumerism for 2025: Our Material Good Centered Lives

We live in a world where buying and consuming things has become a normal part of everyday life. We shop online. We go to the store. We bring home more stuff than we need. From food and clothes to phones and toys, there is always something new to get. We are told that these things will make us happy. But often, even after we buy them, we still feel empty inside.

Ads and commercials are everywhere. They try to convince us that having the right product will fix everything. We will feel better. We will look better. Others will like us more. But those promises don’t last. The excitement fades, and soon we are looking for the next thing. This cycle keeps going and going. But the feeling of real happiness doesn’t seem to come.

This leaves many people confused and tired. Why do we keep getting things that don’t make us happy? Why does the joy fade so quickly? Deep inside, we start to wonder if we are looking in the wrong place. Maybe we are made for something else. Maybe the things we buy can’t fill the space in our hearts.

The Catholic faith helps us ask better questions. What do we really want? What do we really need? The Church reminds us that we are created by God and made for Him. That is the starting point. Until we understand that, we will always be chasing after something more. We will keep filling our lives with things that don’t last.

Many saints and Scripture passages point to this truth. They speak of a peace that comes only from God. They remind us that our hearts are restless until they find rest in Him. When we start to see this, we can begin to live differently. We can begin to search for what really satisfies.

• Reflection, Prayer, and Small Group Discussion Questions
• Printable Copy of Reflection and Questions

Consumerism means always wanting to buy more things. It is the idea that having lots of stuff will make us happy. It tells us that we should always be looking for the next big thing. Maybe it is a new phone, a bigger house, or the latest clothes. This way of thinking teaches us that we need more to feel good. But it never stops. There is always something new to want.

This kind of life can feel exciting for a while. But it wears us out. People get tired from always chasing the next thing. Once we buy something, we enjoy it for a little while. But then we move on. That happiness fades fast. Soon we are back where we started—wanting something else. It can feel like we are going in circles.

Consumerism also changes how we see ourselves and others. We start thinking that what we have shows how important we are. We may feel proud if we own nice things. We may feel small if we do not. We start comparing what we have to what others have. This causes envy and sadness. We stop seeing people as people and start seeing them as rich or poor.

The Catholic faith teaches that our worth does not come from stuff. We are valuable because we are children of God. He made us, and He loves us. Nothing we buy can change that. When we forget this, we start to feel lost. We try to fill our emptiness with things that cannot really help.

Pope Francis warned about this many times. He says that consumerism can lead to a “throwaway culture.” We use things, and then we throw them out. We start to do the same with people. If someone is not useful, we forget about them. This kind of thinking is dangerous. It harms our hearts and our world.

We are called to live differently. We are called to be thankful for what we have and to care for others. We are called to love, not to own. When we stop chasing after more and start living with love, we find a peace that does not fade.

Many people believe that buying nice things will make them happy. New clothes, fancy cars, and cool gadgets seem exciting. They look good and feel good at first. But that feeling does not last very long. After a short time, the joy fades. People then want something else. This keeps happening over and over again.

Advertisements are part of the problem. They try to tell us we are missing something. They say we need a certain product to feel complete. These ads play with our feelings. They make us feel like we are not good enough without the newest thing. But that is not true.

Buying new things can feel like a quick fix. But it does not heal the deeper needs in our hearts. We all want to be loved. We want to feel safe. We want to be known. Possessions cannot give us these things. No phone or outfit or car can love us back.

God created us with a longing inside. That longing is meant to lead us to Him. When we try to fill that longing with stuff, we come up empty. It is like drinking salty water when we are thirsty. It makes us want more, but it does not satisfy.

The saints knew this well. Saint Ignatius of Loyola wrote about how he once chased after worldly things. But he found them shallow. He realized that only God could give him real peace. The joy he found in God was strong and lasting. It did not fade like the joy from things.

God gives us our true worth. We do not need to prove ourselves by what we own. We are loved just as we are. When we stop trying to impress others and start trusting God, our hearts become free. We begin to feel peace deep inside.

Deep inside each of us is a longing. It is not a longing for money or clothes or food. It is a longing for something greater. We may not always understand it, but we can feel it. It shows up as sadness, worry, or a sense that something is missing. Many people try to fix this feeling by buying more or staying busy, but it does not go away.

The Bible tells us that God placed eternity in our hearts. That means we are made to want Him. Only God can fill that empty place inside. Saint Augustine said it simply:

This restlessness is not a problem. It is a sign pointing us back to God.

Sometimes people turn to things instead of turning to God. They buy, eat, scroll, and search for something to feel better. But it never works for long. The feeling always comes back. That is because the need is not physical. It is spiritual. It is a hunger for love, truth, peace, and purpose.

Jesus spoke to a woman at a well who was tired of her life. She had been looking for love in all the wrong places. He told her that He could give her living water. That means water that never runs out. This is the gift of God’s love. It is what we really need.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta said many people are poor in spirit. They feel unloved and unseen. No object can fix that. Only love can. Love comes from God. When we let Him love us, we start to feel whole. We stop needing so many things to feel good.

Jesus reminds us that our life does not depend on what we own. He tells us to store treasure in heaven, not on earth. This means we should focus on kindness, prayer, and love. These things last. They bring peace. They fill our hearts in a way nothing else can.

God made the world and called it good. The trees, rivers, animals, and skies all show His beauty. Nature is a gift. It helps us see God’s care. But many people have stopped paying attention. Busy lives, noise, and constant buying pull us away. We forget to look up at the stars or sit quietly under a tree. We forget we are part of creation, not separate from it.

When we care only about buying and owning things, we start to hurt the earth. We use too much and waste too much. Factories pollute. Trash piles up. Forests are cut down. This damage does not only hurt nature. It hurts people too, especially the poor. Pope Francis talked about this in Laudato Si’. He says we must change how we live.

God asks us to take care of creation. This is called stewardship. It means we do not own the earth. It belongs to God. We are only caretakers. When we respect the world around us, we also show respect for the Creator. When we hurt it, we turn away from that duty.

The saints show us how to live close to nature. Saint Francis of Assisi called the sun his brother and the moon his sister. He sang praises for animals and trees. He saw God’s love in all creation. His simple life helped him love both God and people more deeply.

Spending time in nature helps us feel peace. It reminds us that life is not about speed or noise. It is about being present. It is about noticing God’s gifts. Even a walk outside or watching birds can open our hearts to God. Creation speaks, but we must slow down to hear it.

Choosing a simpler life helps us care for nature. We can buy less, reuse more, and waste less. We can support people who treat the earth with care. These choices help both the planet and our souls. When we live gently on the earth, we begin to feel close to God again.

Many people feel stuck in a cycle. They buy something, feel happy for a short time, and then want something else. The feeling does not last. So they keep buying. This is how consumerism works. It teaches us to always want more. But it never gives us lasting peace. To break free, we need to stop and ask different questions.

One good place to start is with gratitude. When we thank God for what we already have, we feel more at peace. Gratitude opens our eyes. We begin to see blessings we didn’t notice before. A warm meal. A kind word. A sunny day. These are gifts too.

Jesus met a woman at a well who had been looking for peace in the wrong places. She kept coming back to the same old well. But she was still thirsty. Jesus offered her living water. He showed her a new way. When she believed Him, her life changed. She found what she was really looking for.

We can change our habits too. Before buying something, we can stop and think. Do I really need this? Can I borrow it? Is there a better way to use my money? These small steps help us slow down. They help us choose better. They help us listen to God.

Mindful choices matter. We can shop from places that treat workers fairly. We can buy things that last longer. We can fix things instead of tossing them. These choices help people and help the earth. They also help our souls. They remind us that love and care are more important than having stuff.

When we let go of always wanting more, we start to feel free. We have more space for joy. We have more time for others. We begin to notice what really matters. This is how we move toward a life that brings peace. This is how we find living water.

Many people want to feel happy and at peace. They try to find that feeling in money, success, or things they can buy. But these things never last. Once the joy wears off, they are left wanting more. That empty feeling keeps coming back. It makes people feel lost and tired. But there is another way to live.

Jesus teaches us to live for love. He tells us to love God and love others. When we do this, we stop thinking only about ourselves. We start to care about people who are hurting. We begin to give instead of always taking. This way of life brings real joy.

Giving to others brings peace to the heart. Sharing food, time, or kind words helps people feel seen and loved. It also helps us feel close to God. Saint Francis of Assisi gave up everything so he could serve the poor. He was full of joy because his heart was full of love.

Saint Mother Teresa said we do not have to do big things. We can do small things with great love. A smile. A visit. A prayer. These things matter. They bring light into the world. They help us live for something greater than ourselves.

Each day, we can ask God how He wants us to live. We can spend less time trying to impress others. We can spend more time helping, praying, and loving. This brings peace that stays. It fills our hearts in a way nothing else can.

When we live this way, we stop chasing after things. We begin to see life as a gift. We find joy in simple moments and loving actions. And we know deep down that we are on the right path—the path that leads to God.

God made each person with a purpose. We are here to love Him and love others. When we give our time, our care, and our kindness, we begin to live that purpose. A life of giving brings a deep kind of joy. It does not fade like the joy that comes from buying something. It fills the heart and brings peace.

Saint Mother Teresa spent her life serving the poor. She gave with love, even when it was hard. She once said that small acts done with great love can change the world. We do not need to be famous or rich to help. We just need open hearts.

The Bible reminds us to give with joy. In one letter, Saint Paul says that God loves a cheerful giver. Giving should not feel like a burden. It should come from the heart. When we give freely, we become more like Jesus, who gave everything for us.

Saint Francis of Assisi also showed the joy of giving. He gave away everything he had. He lived simply so he could love freely. He trusted God to care for him. His joy was real because his heart was free. He showed that happiness comes from love, not things.

Each person has something to give. A smile. A prayer. A helping hand. These gifts are powerful. They bring comfort to others and healing to our own hearts. We start to feel connected, not alone.

Living with purpose means thinking about others, not just ourselves. It means asking God how we can help each day. When we do that, we begin to live fully. We find joy that stays. We become the people God created us to be.

What Are You Really Looking For?

Have you ever saved up for something you really wanted, only to feel kind of bored with it after a while? Maybe it was a new phone, a pair of shoes, or some gadget. It was exciting at first, but that feeling didn’t last. That’s how consumerism works. It tells you that buying something will make you feel complete. But it never truly does.

The world is always throwing ads at you. You’re told that if you wear the right clothes or have the latest thing, people will like you more. But deep down, you know that’s not real. Your value doesn’t come from stuff. It comes from the fact that God made you and loves you.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying good things. But problems start when we try to fill every empty feeling with stuff. No amount of things can fix a lonely or hurting heart. That kind of peace comes from knowing you are loved and you have a purpose.

Jesus talked about this with the woman at the well. She had been looking for meaning in all the wrong places. Jesus offered her something better—living water. He offered her love that doesn’t run out. That’s what we need, too.

You don’t have to give up everything and live with nothing. But you can start small. Be thankful for what you already have. Give away something you don’t really need. Spend time with someone who feels alone. Talk to God and ask Him to help you see what really matters.

When you choose love, peace, and kindness over stuff, your life starts to feel lighter. You stop comparing yourself to everyone else. You feel more like yourself. And you realize that you already have what you need—God, people who care about you, and a chance to live with purpose.

Prayer

God, help me to stop chasing after things that don’t last.
Teach me to be thankful for what I have.
Fill me with your peace and love.
Help me share with others and care for the world around me.
Show me what really matters.

Reflection Questions

• Have you ever bought something and later felt like it didn’t make you happy?
• What are some things you are thankful for right now?
• What do you think it means to live simply?
• How can you show love to someone this week without spending money?

Chasing Rainbows and Shopping Bags

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A great visual for discussions on lasting joy, simple living, and where we find true satisfaction.

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Why do I still feel empty even when I have everything I want?

Because material things cannot fill the heart. Only God can give real peace and joy. Buying things may make us feel happy for a short time, but that feeling fades. What we really need is love, purpose, and a deep connection with God.

Is it wrong to buy nice things?

No, it is not wrong to buy nice things. But we should be careful not to let things control us. It’s important to be thankful, live simply, and share with others. We must not forget God or the people around us.

How can I stop always wanting more?

Start with gratitude. Thank God every day for what you already have. Try to notice the small blessings in your life. Spend more time with family, friends, and God. Giving to others can also help shift your focus away from yourself.

What does the Church say about consumerism?

The Church warns against making material things the center of our lives. Pope Francis often talked about this in his writings. He said consumerism can hurt our souls and the earth. The Church teaches us to care for others, live simply, and trust in God.

How do I teach my children to live simply?

Be an example. Talk about needs vs. wants. Encourage giving, sharing, and being thankful. Spend time together without screens or shopping. Pray as a family and show that joy comes from love, not things.

Can faith really make me feel content?

Yes. Faith helps you know you are loved by God. It gives you purpose and peace. It helps you stop chasing after things that do not last. When you walk with God, your heart begins to rest. That is the start of true contentment.

We live in a world that tells us to buy more, want more, and never stop. But no matter how much we get, we still feel like something is missing. That empty space inside cannot be filled with things. It can only be filled with love, peace, and a sense of purpose.

God made us for something greater than shopping and spending. He made us to love Him and to love each other. When we begin to live this way, we find a peace that stays. We stop chasing after stuff. We start to see what really matters.

Simple living does not mean giving up everything. It means choosing what brings real joy. It means trusting God, caring for others, and being thankful. When we live like this, we feel free. We feel full. We find the life we’ve been looking for all along.

Do you ever feel like buying things doesn’t make you happy? Have you tried living more simply or giving more? We would love to hear your story.

Please share your experience in the comment section. Your thoughts might help someone else take a small step toward peace. Let’s learn from one another and grow together in faith, love, and simple living.