Non-Consumerism... is it biblical?

I've been reading some blogs about the whole non-consumerism movement. Basically the premise is not to buy things that are not NECESSARY in order to a) be frugal b) save the environment and c) be in the cool crowd (a little tongue in cheek here)

But how does non-consumerism compare to the bible. I found the following references at the bottom of my post. Mainly from this post: http://www.christianpf.com/money-in-the-bible. I added one, that seemed to clinch it for me. It is the Genesis verse. In essence God gave us this abundant earth to use. It does not belong to the fishes or the plants or the rest of the plant/animal kingdom, it is our's to use. And that point of view is supported by all of the proverbs verses. It is also supported by the verses in Exodus where God sends manna down with strict instructions to let the uneaten manna to be left. Isn't that, like, wasteful.

If we ended it there I think we would be selfish and inconsiderate. There is a theme throughout the bible to protect the children. There is also a theme to be wise and not wasteful. I think it is very unwise, wasteful and hurtful to our children to buy things and not use them.

But here is the biggie. God's number 1 commandment is:

Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before me

If you put your stuff (cars, houses, Kitchen-Aid stand mixer cough cough) before God you are breaking his number one commandment.

So how do you balance those somewhat conflicting ideals. I think it lies in buying what you want and need (that you can afford---different topic but completely true) but not letting the things master you. Interestingly, I think for the non-consumers they have to be careful that the avoidance of things shouldn't master you either. When you live, eat and breathe non-consumer lifestyle (instead of God) then you have just replaced one god with another.

Genesis 1:28-29

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

Luke 15:13
And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into
a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.

John 6:12
When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.”

Proverbs 10:4
Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat.

Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

God Bless,