22/07/2020
YOU SHOULD KNOW...
Consumer Empowerment is NOT the same with Empowered Consumerism. In consumer empowerment, we put human person as prime purpose of our actions - that is to help a person be lifted. That is we should help and lift each other to enjoy abundance and prosperity that God has given to humanity, to us. It is due to the fact that “man is the center of God’s creation” and the things are ONLY for the sake of his use.
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Empowered Consumerism is putting emphasis on the “act of acquisition” for man’s greediness. If you understand what consumerism is in the spectrum of morality and spirituality, you will understand. Consumerism is under the category of materialism and secularism that misled man from the true meaning of life. If you learn it from business people who run economic system - you are misled.
Two reasons; 1. it is a communal sin 2. originally, it comes from anti-christ as part of religious destruction propaganda.
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Yes, we teach “wealth-building”. It is not a luxury but a necessity. To build your wealth properly is to prepare the fund for your child’s education and to prepare the proper cash flow that you will need when you grow old. And at the same time, to be prepared in case of emergency. Though subjectively, it is a right to use your own money for luxury, but I never teach it - rather, it is only your subjective perception of reality to enjoy life. That is your right - to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
But what I am teaching is that you should build wealth so that you can provide for the needs of your family and if you are blest more than to what you need, you can also provide for others, and for you to function well in your community.
+RIGHT USAGE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY +
“God destined the Earth and all it contains for ALL people so that all created things would be shared by all under the guidance of justice tempered by charity.” The right to private property is valid and necessary. But it does NOT constitute for anyone an absolute and unconditional right. No one is justified in keeping for his exclusive use what he does not need, when others lack necessities.
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Property (money) is misused objectively when it becomes a means of exercising power over others, instead of helping to improve the common quality of life. Subjectively, it is misused when greed and craving for possessions become the goal of life, destroying the human dignity of both rich and poor. Just REMEMBER - MONEY IS JUST A TOOL NOT A GOAL. WEALTH BUILDING IS SIMPLY A MEAN. It is NOT an end but to be used for a greater purpose and greater end - that is improving our life, improving our neighbor’s life and helping those on the mission to serve God.
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IN OUR ECONOMIC JOURNEY, THE MISSION IS “TO LIFT OUR NEIGHBOR” AS APPLICATION OF LOVE.