In the context of the Bible, the concept of "consumers" can be understood through various lenses, including economic, spiritual, and moral dimensions. While the term "consumer" as used in modern economic parlance does not appear explicitly in the Scriptures, the Bible provides numerous teachings and principles that relate to consumption, stewardship, and the use of resources.

Economic Consumption

The Bible addresses the use and management of resources extensively. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were given laws that governed their economic activities, including consumption. For instance, the principle of gleaning, as seen in Leviticus 19:9-10, allowed the poor and the foreigner to consume the leftovers of the harvest: "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God."

This principle highlights a community-oriented approach to consumption, where resources are shared and not hoarded, ensuring that even the marginalized have access to basic necessities.

Spiritual Consumption

The Bible also speaks to the spiritual aspect of consumption. In Isaiah 55:1-2, the prophet invites the people to consume what truly satisfies: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk, without money and without cost. Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods."

This passage emphasizes the importance of seeking spiritual nourishment over material consumption, urging believers to prioritize their spiritual well-being and relationship with God over the pursuit of material goods.

Moral and Ethical Consumption

The New Testament further develops the theme of ethical consumption. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Paul instructs Timothy to guide the wealthy in their consumption: "Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

This passage underscores the responsibility of those with resources to use them wisely and generously, reflecting a heart of gratitude and stewardship rather than selfishness and greed.

Warnings Against Excessive Consumption

The Bible also warns against excessive consumption and the dangers of materialism. In Luke 12:15, Jesus cautions, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." This warning serves as a reminder that the pursuit of material wealth and excessive consumption can lead to spiritual impoverishment.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the term "consumer" in the modern sense, its teachings provide a comprehensive framework for understanding consumption from a biblical perspective. Through principles of stewardship, community care, spiritual nourishment, and ethical responsibility, believers are called to approach consumption in a way that honors God and serves others.

Besides These Men, There is Still Another Class, -- Inventors of ...
... children of the materialists of the Eighteenth Century, see in humanity, only matter
and the things that belong to matter; in men, only consumers and producers ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/ix besides these men there.htm

The Riot at Philippi
... And when Christian people set themselves against these abominations, capital takes
the command of the mob of drink-sellers and consumers, or of those from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the riot at philippi.htm

Naked or Clothed?
... Possessed, it cannot satisfy, for the appetite grows with indulgence. Its increase
barely keeps pace with the increase of its consumers. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/naked or clothed.htm

Laboring under Difficulties
... entrusted to them. They forget that by trading wisely on the talents lent
them they are to be producers as well as consumers. If they ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 33 laboring under difficulties.htm

The Solidarity of the Human Family
... Is it a denial of fellowship to exact monopoly profit from consumers, or to
take advantage of the ignorance or necessities of a buyer? ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter ii the solidarity of.htm

The Tangled Web
... A hungry dog, probably the last one to escape the execution which had been meted
out to all useless consumers of food, barked at her heels and brought her up ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xvii the tangled web.htm

Parasitism.
... the soul. Our churches overflow with members who are mere consumers. Their
interest in religion is purely parasitic. Their only ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/parasitism.htm

Private Property and the Common Good
... hand property is used as a means of collecting tribute and private taxes, as a club
with which to extort unearned gain from laborers and consumers, and as the ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter viii private property and.htm

Reclaiming a Church to Meet a New Age
... throughout the community, such as the Juvenile Protective Association, the Bureau
of Municipal Research, the Hospital Services, the Consumers' League, the Anti ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/reclaiming a church to meet.htm

The Epistle of Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria to Alexander ...
... Presbyter. [256] chriostemporia. The word christemporos is applied in the
"Didache" to lazy consumers of alms. Cf. Ps. Ignat. ad ...
/.../chapter iii the epistle of alexander.htm

Consumers (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Consumers (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 5:11 In
the multiplying of good have its consumers been multiplied ...
/c/consumers.htm - 6k

Consumes (21 Occurrences)

/c/consumes.htm - 11k

Multiplying (23 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ecclesiastes 5:11 In the multiplying of good have its consumers been multiplied,
and what benefit 'is' to its possessor except the sight of his eyes? ...
/m/multiplying.htm - 13k

Possessor (12 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Ecclesiastes 5:11 In the multiplying of good have its consumers been
multiplied, and what benefit 'is' to its possessor except the sight of his eyes? ...
/p/possessor.htm - 10k

Consumer (1 Occurrence)

/c/consumer.htm - 6k

Benefit (39 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ecclesiastes 5:11 In the multiplying of good have its consumers been multiplied,
and what benefit 'is' to its possessor except the sight of his eyes? ...
/b/benefit.htm - 19k

Multiplied (109 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Ecclesiastes 5:11 In the multiplying of good have its consumers been
multiplied, and what benefit 'is' to its possessor except the sight of his eyes? ...
/m/multiplied.htm - 38k

Consume (136 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ecclesiastes 5:11 In the multiplying of good have its consumers been multiplied,
and what benefit 'is' to its possessor except the sight of his eyes? ...
/c/consume.htm - 40k

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