Vol. 16 No. 48 | December 2, 2013
When I opened my email on this day after Thanksgiving, which has come to be known as Black Friday, I had dozens of unread emails. Most offering me amazing deals on thousands of products I do not need. All with a similar message: “Don’t miss out!” “Hurry!” “You can’t afford NOT to take advantage of this special deal!” Weeks before Black Friday sales were being advertised with many actually beginning several days before. Now that Black Friday has passed the sales continue.
Facebook users and members of the news media are noticing and commenting on this compulsion for buying, having more, and getting the best deal possible.
Philip Jones, Jr. posted a photo (that may have actually been taken on Thanksgiving Day or evening) of a shopping frenzy where people are being trampled in a department store with this comment: “Black Friday: Only in America do people trample each other for sales just a few hours after being thankful for what they already have.”
Grant Norvell posted this: “If you love America, you’ll buy stuff today whether you should or not.”
Suzie Bowers shared an article about three women arrested for public urination while waiting for Black Friday opening at Target store near Little Rock, Arkansas.
Then, I came across an article highlighting a group in Philadelphia who said: “Today seems like a good time to say: ENOUGH.” (Shane Claiborne Celebrates Buy Nothing Day)
Local news reported that Americans spent $9.7 billion on Black Friday, and will spend $602 billion this holiday season.
We pay homage to the Giver of all good gifts for part of one day but quickly return to our lives of getting more, demanding more, convincing ourselves that we need more.
Is this simply an example of who we are, a sign of the times, or is there a cause for concern? Maybe both? Being thrifty, being good stewards, and stretching a dollar are good things, but mob scenes and exhaustion due to midnight shopping sprees may be too much.
Jesus expressed it like this:
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life (emphasis mine), and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”(Luke 21:34-36, NIV)
Eugene Peterson expresses it with even more clarity:
“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping (emphasis mine). Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36, The Message)
Am I against having things? Nope. I love stuff. Am I opposed to saving money by shopping for bargains? Nope. I love eBay, Amazon, and discount stores. Am I puzzled by and amazed at and concerned about our tendency toward greed and misplaced priorities? Yes. Very much.
Can I offer anything that might help us avoid this destructive trap? Yes. “Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36, The Message)
And this…
“Two things I ask of you, Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:7-9, NIV)
Maybe one day we will learn to be thankful and not want more. Maybe.
Oh, I have just been reminded that it is now Cyber Monday.
Tom
© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.