The Danger of Being a Consumer Driven Christian

By: Curtis Evelo | November 15, 2021

This article is not in the spirit of a rebuke, nor do I think I have it all mastered as well. But I know the burden the Lord put on my heart about this, and I definitely think the timing is right.

We spend our lives especially in this culture and across the globe being consumers. The people involved in providing the consumable items want to keep you there, from clothing, shampoo, and food, to the latest phone or gadgets. The producers of said items want to keep you returning and that list is not exhaustive in any means so take a minute and think of consumables that could be on that list.

One of the biggest consumable items on the market today is content. That’s right I said content, and I realize that’s exactly what this article is and so is our podcast. But just look at the social media outlets that are available. It’s all content and most is not good content. But the thing I’m seeing as my children get older and I watch them interact with others around them is that this supply of consumable content is training us to continue to crave the next snippet or quick tidbit and to be trapped in that cycle. It’s forcing us to form quick opinions and responses without getting the full information. And those providing that content aren’t necessarily interested in getting accurate information to those consuming it. It’s about getting the likes, shares, and followers.

Unfortunately, I’m seeing this consumer driven mindset in the Church across the whole Church and not specifically one area. We have been trained by the culture to just consume and so within the walls of the church building we look to the preacher/pastor to provide just content, but we walk out the doors with the nod and words “great sermon pastor” and go about the day. The very place we are to receive encouragement and knowledge of God and the tools to equip and empower us in the actions of the Great Commission is the place we treat like any other provided content. It does us or those around us no good whatsoever to continue to just consume and do nothing with the information we received from the sermon preached, the time in the Bible, or our life experience walking with Christ.

My challenge to all is to really look at the Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20. Examine what Jesus gave us to do and that is to make disciples. In the process of making disciples, we must share content. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to start a blog page, podcast, or be the next TV apologist but it does necessarily mean that you have information to share so start sharing about God’s grace and his mercy in your own life.

Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 to not be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. The world is pressing (conforming) us into its mold, but we have something greater and that is the transformation of our mind. We need to not think like this world and have nothing to give out to our neighbors. But if we live out the Great Commission with those around us helping others renew their minds and making disciples of them so they too can be confident to share then we will see lives changed, community empowered, and Christ glorified! Rather than being an exclusive Christian consumer, try being a Christ-directed producer.

Action plan

Take in the content with the intent to grow and share
Help others to be transformed by creating disciples
Ask the Lord to bring someone to mind that you can engage with to share about the goodness of God
Always be seeking to renew your mind by being in the Bible

About the Author

Curtis Evelo is a cattle rancher at the E6 Hereford Ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana. Curtis is the Co-Host and Producer of the Bellator Christi Podcast. He often teaches and speaks at his church Cornerstone Faith Center in St. Ignatius. Curtis provides a common-sense approach to Christianity as he contemplates the wonders of God’s creation in Big Sky Country.