Read Luke 12:13-21

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NLT).

As a lifelong fan of zombie films, I’ve always been drawn to the works of George A. Romero, such as his 1978 classic “Dawn of the Dead.” Romero’s zombies were more than just mindless flesh-eaters; they were powerful metaphors for societal issues. In “Dawn of the Dead,” Romero used the undead to deliver a scathing critique of American consumerism.

The film, set in a shopping mall during a zombie apocalypse, follows a group of survivors as they barricade themselves inside this temple of commerce. What’s fascinating is how the zombies, driven by some residual memory or instinct, are drawn to the mall. They shuffle aimlessly through the corridors, riding escalators, and congregating around storefronts – a grotesque parody of their former lives.

These “undead urges” serve as a mirror to our society, reflecting our own mindless consumption habits. Just as these undead creatures are compelled to return to the mall without understanding why, we often find ourselves caught in cycles of purchasing and accumulating without questioning our motivations.

This is where our Scripture readings come into sharp focus. In Luke 12, Jesus warns against greed and the futile pursuit of earthly possessions. The rich man in the parable believes his life is secured by his abundant crops, only to have it all stripped away in an instant. Similarly, in 1 Timothy, we’re reminded that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in godliness and contentment.

Like Romero’s zombies, we too can become victims of our own undead urges, consuming and consuming without stopping to think and wonder why. Black Friday sales, endless online shopping, and the constant barrage of advertisements can turn us into mindless consumers, always craving the next purchase but never finding satisfaction.

Even those who lack the financial means to purchase the things they are told to consume are still bombarded with advertisements and societal messages that equate personal value with material possessions. This creates a pervasive sense of inadequacy and desire, making the effects of consumerism far-reaching and damaging. The pressure to consume affects everyone, regardless of economic status, and can lead to a cycle of debt, dissatisfaction, and spiritual emptiness.

The zombies in “Dawn of the Dead” are trapped in a cycle, endlessly repeating behaviors from their past lives without purpose or understanding. Are we so different when we mindlessly follow consumer trends, equating our worth with our possessions, or seeking fulfillment in material goods?

Jesus and Paul both urge us to break free from these undead urges. They remind us that life’s true richness comes not from what we own, but from our relationship with God and the contentment that follows. Just as the survivors in the film must learn to see beyond the illusory safety of the mall, we too must look beyond the false promises of consumerism to find real meaning and purpose.

This doesn’t mean we should reject all material possessions or pleasures. Rather, it’s an invitation to be mindful consumers, to question our motivations, and to seek contentment in God rather than in things. By doing so, we can avoid becoming spiritual zombies, driven by undead urges, and instead live with intention, purpose, and true satisfaction.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Are your undead urges for consumption bringing you closer to God and true contentment, or are they turning you into a “zombie” consumer?

PRAYER
Lord, help us break free from our undead urges and find true contentment in You. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.