Materialistic vs. Spiritual — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 21, 2024
Materialistic focuses on physical possessions and wealth, while Spiritual emphasizes inner peace and the non-material aspects of life.
Difference Between Materialistic and Spiritual
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Materialistic people prioritize tangible assets and financial success. They often measure happiness and self-worth by their material achievements. Spiritual individuals, on the other hand, seek fulfillment through personal growth, inner peace, and connection to a higher purpose.
Materialistic values center around acquiring and possessing physical goods. This outlook encourages a consumer-driven lifestyle, where external appearances and status symbols are key indicators of success. Spiritual values prioritize experiences, relationships, and inner harmony, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and connection with oneself and others.
Materialistic attitudes often lead to a focus on competition and comparison with others. People in this mindset may strive for societal approval through their possessions. Spiritual perspectives foster a sense of contentment with what one has and stress personal development and enlightenment.
Materialistic pursuits can result in transient satisfaction as they are linked to external factors. The joy derived from acquiring new items often fades, leading to a continuous cycle of wanting more. Spiritual pursuits, however, offer lasting fulfillment by fostering a deeper understanding of life and self.
Materialistic individuals might find comfort in the security and status provided by their wealth. They often view material success as a means to attain happiness and stability. Spiritual individuals view inner peace and spiritual growth as the ultimate goals, finding comfort in meditation, prayer, and self-reflection.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Physical possessions and wealth
Inner peace and non-material aspects
Values
Tangible assets and financial success
Personal growth and connection to higher purpose
Lifestyle
Consumer-driven, status-oriented
Mindfulness, relationships, and harmony
Satisfaction
Transient and linked to external factors
Lasting and derived from internal understanding
Source of Comfort
Security and status from wealth
Inner peace from meditation and self-reflection
Compare with Definitions
Materialistic
Obsessed with acquiring goods.
The materialistic culture promotes constant consumerism.
Spiritual
Concerned with personal growth and inner peace.
His spiritual journey led him to mindfulness and meditation.
Materialistic
Concerned with physical possessions.
He has a materialistic attitude, always buying the latest gadgets.
Spiritual
Emphasizing connection to a higher power.
Many people seek spiritual guidance through religion.
Materialistic
Motivated by financial gain.
His materialistic approach to his career made him wealthy but lonely.
Spiritual
Valuing non-material aspects of life.
A spiritual person often focuses on love and compassion.
Materialistic
Valuing wealth over other aspects of life.
Her materialistic goals overshadow her personal relationships.
Spiritual
Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not material; supernatural
Spiritual power.
Materialistic
(Philosophy) The doctrine that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena.
Spiritual
Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul
Spiritual guidance.
Spiritual growth.
Materialistic
The theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life.
Spiritual
Not concerned with material or worldly things
Led a spiritual life.
Materialistic
Concern for possessions or material wealth and physical comfort, especially to the exclusion of spiritual or intellectual pursuits.
Spiritual
Of or belonging to a religion; sacred
Spiritual practices.
Spiritual music.
Materialistic
Being overly concerned with material possessions and wealth.
Spiritual
A religious folk song of African American origin.
Materialistic
Of or concerning philosophical materialism.
Spiritual
A work composed in imitation of such a song.
Materialistic
Of or pertaining to materialism or materialists; of the nature of materialism.
But to me his very spiritualism seemed more materialistic than his physics.
Spiritual
Often spirituals Religious, spiritual, or ecclesiastical matters.
Materialistic
Primarily concerned with material objects and worldly activities, as contrasted with spiritual, moral or philosophical concerns; especially, concerned primarily with gaining money and the things that money can buy.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the spirit or the soul.
Respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice.
Materialistic
Marked by materialism
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to God or a place of worship; sacred, pure; inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Materialistic
Conforming to the standards and conventions of the middle class;
A bourgeois mentality
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to spirits; supernatural.
Materialistic
Prioritizing money and material goods.
She has a materialistic mindset, always seeking to increase her wealth.
Spiritual
Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal.
A spiritual substance or being
Spiritual
Of or relating to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
Spiritual
Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical.
The spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation
Spiritual
A Christian religious song, especially one in an African-American style, or a similar non-religious song.
Spiritual
Any spiritual function, office, or affair.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals. — Lowell.
Spiritual
Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal; as, a spiritual substance or being.
It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the moral feelings or states of the soul, as distinguished from the external actions; reaching and affecting the spirits.
God's law is spiritual; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man.
Spiritual
Of or pertaining to the soul or its affections as influenced by the Spirit; controlled and inspired by the divine Spirit; proceeding from the Holy Spirit; pure; holy; divine; heavenly-minded; - opposed to carnal.
That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings.
If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one.
Spiritual
Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical; as, the spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation.
Spiritual
A spiritual function, office, or affair. See Spirituality, 2.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals.
Spiritual
A kind of religious song originated by Blacks in the southern United States
Spiritual
Concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church;
Religious texts
A nenber if a religious order
Lords temporal and spiritual
Spiritual leaders
Spiritual songs
Spiritual
Concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul;
A spiritual approach to life
Spiritual fulfillment
Spiritual values
Unearthly love
Spiritual
Lacking material body or form or substance;
Spiritual beings
The vital transcendental soul belonging to the spiritual realm
Spiritual
Like or being a phantom;
A ghostly face at the window
A phantasmal presence in the room
Spectral emanations
Spiritual tappings at a seance
Spiritual
Related to the soul or spirit.
She finds peace through her spiritual practices.
Spiritual
Focused on inner harmony and enlightenment.
Her spiritual beliefs help her stay calm and centered.
Common Curiosities
What is the opposite of materialistic?
The opposite of materialistic is spiritual, focusing on inner peace and non-material aspects of life.
How do materialistic people measure success?
Materialistic people often measure success by their wealth and material acquisitions.
What does being materialistic mean?
Being materialistic means prioritizing physical possessions and financial success.
How does materialism impact happiness?
Materialism can lead to transient happiness as it relies on external factors which often provide temporary satisfaction.
What are spiritual values?
Spiritual values include inner harmony, personal growth, and relationships.
What does it mean to be spiritual?
Being spiritual means seeking fulfillment through personal growth, inner peace, and connection to a higher purpose.
How do spiritual people find satisfaction?
Spiritual people find satisfaction through mindfulness, personal development, and a deeper understanding of life.
How do spiritual practices differ from materialistic pursuits?
Spiritual practices focus on inner peace and enlightenment, whereas materialistic pursuits aim at acquiring physical goods.
What are the values of a materialistic person?
Materialistic values center around tangible assets, financial success, and consumerism.
What lifestyle is associated with materialism?
A materialistic lifestyle is consumer-driven and status-oriented.
Can someone be both materialistic and spiritual?
It's possible to blend aspects of both, but typically, one will dominate the individual's perspective and actions.
How does spirituality influence well-being?
Spirituality often enhances well-being by promoting inner peace and a deeper sense of purpose.
How does materialism affect relationships?
Materialism can strain relationships due to the focus on wealth and possessions over personal connections.
What lifestyle is associated with spirituality?
A spiritual lifestyle emphasizes mindfulness, relationships, and inner harmony.
What are some common spiritual practices?
Common spiritual practices include meditation, prayer, and self-reflection.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
