1 A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO THE MENACE OF MATERIALISM IN TODAY’S CHURCH By Emmanuel A. Owoeye Baptist Theological Seminary Kaduna, Nigeria. Abstract The challenge of greed and covetousness has found its way into the church of God manifesting in materialism. This paper examines some shades of materialism as well as the effects of this menace on the church. In its apologetic approach, it submitted that the Bible does not in any way affirm the acquisition of physical materials in this world, rather, it teaches contentment for all believers. Keywords: Greed, Covetousness, Christian, Prosperity, Wealth, Contentment, and Materialism. The quest for materialism 1 among Christians today is fast leading many to jettison the doctrine of contentment. It seems to have gotten to the extent that being poor as a Christian is now consider a sin among God’s people. The biblical name for this quest is greed and covetousness 2 which commences when Christians begin to compare themselves with the unbelievers in achievements and wealth, and such, they tend to lose their focus on Christ. According to Michael Otieno Maura, “in many of our pulpits today, the preaching is centered on worldly achievements and material 1 Materialism according to the Advanced English dictionary “is a desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual matters.” This definition applies in this paper. 2 Covetousness is “an intense desire to possess somethi ng (or someone) that belongs to another person … Covetousness springs from a greedy self-centeredness and an arrogant disregard of God's law. The Bible repeatedly warns against this sin (cf. Josh. 7:21; Rom. 7:7; 2 Peter 2:10). (See; Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Herbert Lockyer, Sr. ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986, 260.)