The Truth to Owning Luxury Goods As a Christian

Disclaimer:
The statements in this post align with a Christian perspective. Not to say that a non-Christian won’t be able to relate. However, it is important to note that the audience targeted is one that seeks a Christ centered life. The aim of this blog is to reach out to the community to further examine the modern day and how it fits in with Biblical principles. Furthermore, I am a singular individual who can only write on the limitations of my own experiences. Ultimately, the goal is to not only allow myself but those I am called to love to grow in their faith.

Intro:
In the first part of this post, I will comment on my personal background with the topic and share details on its relevancy in my life. This is solely so that the reader may understand the limitations to my understanding- that which is my own. In the second part I will be diving deeper in the aspect of faith, and particularly on what the scripture says about owning material items as a Christian. Although I am connecting my own experiences with the word of God, I pray to be a good representation of its teachings and steward of its resources on this post.

Background:
I didn’t grow up surrounded by designer labels or luxury goods. Although I would not say that I came from poverty, my father’s philosophy on life was always one of modesty. My parents highly valued family, their faith, education, and experiences over anything considered material. Similar to many other first generation Asian Americans, my parents were and are hard workers who emphasized saving over spending. Not to say they were stingy- I was never deprived as a child. However, being cost effective and efficient brought them greater joy than spending a large sum on a luxury car or watch.

So how I ended being associated with the luxury lifestyle is a bit funny to me and at times can be hurtful. Especially since I had no idea what I was getting into when I did- really was opening a literal Pandora’s box. How I got there may cause some digression beyond the point, so I’ll try to keep it as short and sweet as possible.

One day as a college freshman I stumbled across a picture of a girl wearing a handbag online. I don’t remember where I saw it, maybe on Instagram or Pinterest, but I just remember thinking “wow that’s such a pretty bag.” My jaw hit the floor when I looked it up and saw the price tag on the thing: $2,700 (it was the Nano Luggage Bag by Celine btw). I had never spent more than $20 on a bag before. At the time even Target handbags that went for $30 I put back on the shelf because I considered them too expensive for my taste. But it was something about this bag that made me really want it- to the point where I was determined to find a way for it to fit it into my limited affordability. And after many months of researching, somehow, I found myself involved in the world of buying and reselling designer handbags.

In 2016, with the $700 in my bank account meant to last me until the end of college and after much push back from my mother who was convinced I was crazy, I bought a discounted new-condition authentic bag on eBay, then resold it one week later for double: $1,400. After my first sale, my mother only occasionally thought I was crazy. But, for the most part trusted my spending decisions there on after. Before I knew it I was investing my money in multiple bags which then branched beyond into designer shoes, belts, phone cases, rings, earrings, and you name it. They were all considered investments to me- my own little stock market. There was always risk involved: whether an item would sell, whether someone would find a way to scam me (it happened sometimes), whether that item would depreciate in value or appreciate. But mostly, it was fun at first because I got to wear many of the items before finding them a new home. However, this fun also came at some price.

It took a while for me to see it: a couple of years. But, the responsibility of having these items hit me harder and faster than I had realized. I think many people can understand that there’s a certain weight to owning luxury products. Generally a certain crowd is viewed as having said items: that which is monetarily “rich,” established, and prosperous in a worldly sense. I say “viewed” as the key word, as these items are not truly indicative of real monetary wealth but an idol of collective societal views.  So you can imagine how I was seen possessing them being at a relatively young age (18 when I started). With material wealth being coveted in society, the attention that came out of it was a lot more than what I originally was use to having. I found increasingly that many people did not have an indifferent opinion about me- it usually was very positive or very negative. Not to generalize as I have had genuine and loving friends over the years, but mostly people were either wanting very much to befriend me because they looked up to the material lifestyle they thought I led, or they were very cautious and looked down on me for leading a consuming lifestyle. Without repeating too many comments from the peanut gallery, I want to say that I understand them. Because it makes sense that many would assume an 18 year old girl carrying luxury brands is using her father’s money, is not wise in her spending, will be high-maintenance in relationships, will not befriend people who don’t value material objects etc. etc.  Comments on these topics did bother and hurt me for a while. I don’t want to use the word “wrestle” lightly. However, I have had to wrestle with owning luxury products as a Christian, especially since it entered my life abruptly. More details on my struggle with this topic are really for another post; this post I want to remain as objective as possible. My “wrestle” has changed throughout the course of time and even might continue to do so. I do understand the meaning of these items now, but that I have yet to still grow in my faith and Christ may continue to reveal new things in this topic; things that may make me have to re-evaluate my viewpoint on this. I also do think that any Christian who owns luxury products, no matter what age or background should consider how those products fit in with their faith. Yes, even those (and maybe especially those) who choose to own fake luxury goods- more on this in the second part. So does God condemn living a life with luxury? And if not, how can one live fruitfully whilst owning material goods?

Faith:
Let’s first acknowledge the verse, “for if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or we die, we are the Lord’s,” Romans 4:8. As stated here, Christians are called into a purpose. Contrary to secular thinking, our life is not meant to be our own. We cannot stand by the statement of “do whatever makes you happy,” though a popular saying. When we are born again into faith we recognize that we are serving a greater role than our own individuality, fortune, or fame. Although we may be blessed with these things in our lives on earth, ultimately we are not called to live for anything other than the Lord. I also want to add that it’s not as if Christianity takes away our individuality, but simply that we do not live for these purposes. Anything we have on earth may be gone tomorrow. If not that, Matthew 24:35 states that all things including “heaven and earth will pass away” eventually. So, it is imperative that we do not cling to the things we own on earth because ultimately this is not what we are living for.

But, let’s take a step back and ask the question - does God permit us to own material or luxury goods? Although there is no verse that specifically talks about owning designer, we can still draw from what the Bible says. Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 states, “This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them- for this is their lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil- this is the gift of God.” As Christians, we serve a God who loves us! We are not called to be mindless creatures. We serve a just God who is righteous in His treatment of His creation. He shows no partiality (Act 10:34), He commands against mistreatment of others (Zechariah 7:10), He perfectly executes vengeance against oppressors (2 Thessalonians 1:6; Romans 12:9), and most of all He shows mercy to those He loves through righteousness (Romans 3:25-26). Going back to the verse in Ecclesiastes, God looks at the heart and acknowledges our labors. We are free to enjoy the wealth, possessions, and power we are given on earth, so long as we know they are gifts from God alone. We should then lift them up to God in thanksgiving. “Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5. So in regards to material things, it is not wrong or shameful to own items considered material or luxury. God has created the artistic hands who produce fashion, and all things are good created from God and received with thanksgiving. However, let’s once again ask ourselves another question:

What are our intentions owning these things?
I mentioned lifting up our gifts to God in thanksgiving. I do think that true thanksgiving to God is a sign of a humble spirit. We recognize that the Lord is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (is everywhere), and omniscient (all-knowing) and that our own excellence is only which can be granted by such a God. Therefore, we are thankful for what we are given and recognize that for our benefit anything can also be taken away (Job 1:21). But even saying this may be a little vague to many. How can someone be so sure that they are partaking in thanksgiving or have right intentions? One way I have found personally to “check” myself and intentions is to ask myself a series of three questions:

1) ”Does it [the items owned] cause me to grow further or closer to Christ?”
2) “What purpose does it [the things I own] serve myself/serve others?”
3) ”Would I be able to give it [the material items I own]  up if called to do so?”

Anything that is held as an image higher than the Lord is considered an idol (Exodus 20:3-6). The series of questions above are aimed at bringing out our earthly idols into our consciousness. It is important to note that the answers to these questions may serve inconclusive results. The action, object, or person, in this case material goods, may not be an idol merely because it is not actively bringing one closer to Christ or serving others. For an example, brushing your teeth in the morning may not bring you closer to God or serve other people (although they probably would appreciate it if your breath didn’t stink). However, if it is self-serving and causes a person to grow farther away in their faith it should be examined further for being a potential idol. The Bible states, “if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go to hell,” Matthew 5:30. You may have heard this verse before, and although seemingly harsh, it speaks truth. Are we worshiping our own earthly image by adorning it with designer things? And if so, it is logical to say that it is better to lose your image than to lose your soul.

I am also at this time going to take a moment to address owning fake designer items (knock-offs, counterfeits, etc.). I am not going to speak on the ethicality of owning fakes because that is not the point of this post. Whether or not I ethically agree with owning fake items, we are examining more the question of one’s intention. To preface, I am not saying all circumstances of owning fakes are inherently idolization or wrong intent. For an example, someone could be gifted a counterfeit bag from a friend without knowing. Or, even after finding out, continue using the bag to eliminate it wasting in a landfill. Besides this example, are other circumstances in which owning fake luxury goods may not be unbiblical. However, more likely a person chooses intentionally to own fake goods for a few reasons- and most likely the reason to appear as a certain image to others. We can also reference the ninth commandment in Exodus 20:16, “thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” This meaning that we as Christians are not to intentionally speak that which is untrue and deceptive (Leviticus 19:11-12, Colossians 3:9-10). Since we have put on a new self through our redemption, we also have the duty to be good representations of our faith by being truthful about the items we own. A good steward of the Lord is truthful with good intention.

So how then can we live fruitfully whilst owning luxury items? Firstly, we must understand that our recognition and beauty should not be overpowered with our outwardly image. In 1 Peter 3:2-5 it is written, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful.” Although this passage was specifically written for Christian women, it is also applicable to men as well. Our outward image should not detract from our inner self. And furthermore, we should prize our inner beauty: one that is warm, loving, gentle, and kind; a beauty that seeks wisdom over vanity. So then, it is no longer a question of if a Christian can own designer, but what one seeks to grow in and how one can utilize the gifts given by God. One important way someone can utilize the gift of monetary wealth is through tithing. Tithing is a practice seen long throughout the Bible where people give a tenth of what they have to further the Kingdom. And what more can we do for the Kingdom on earth with the money we are given! Even so, you do not have to be monetarily wealthy to tithe. I love the example in Mark 12:41-44, “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”

Ultimately, the Lord looks onto the heart. Whether we are granted with riches or poverty, own a designer purse or a thrifted one, we are called into a life of love, kindness, thanksgiving, and humility before Him.