Consumers? Or Citizens?

My prayer today is:
Let us stop thinking of ourselves and of one another as CONSUMERS. Let us remember that we are CITIZENS.

Consumers care about their various desires and their right to fulfil those desires. Being a consumer is about thinking of rights and opportunities to exploit for pleasure or for gain. It is about deep-seated but usually hidden assumptions such as: More is better.
Big is beautiful.
New is good.

Having fun at all times is the most important mission in life.
My family and I should enjoy more than others, have a bigger share than others.

Consumers are preoccupied with guarding, preserving and enhancing what is theirs. They don't assume responsibility for what lies beyond their doorstep.

Being Citizens is about taking responsibility for the overall direction of things. It is about wanting what is best for the whole community. Citizens want only equity, fairness and long-term sustainability.

For themselves and their families, they are satisfied with getting the fair share after everyone else has had their share. They may accept less than their fair share, but certainly do not want more.

Citizens care deeply about what happens outside their doors. They speak up and take charge.

Please God, help each one of us to beWorld Citizens, not Global Consumers.