Daily Devotions
A Little Perspective on Black Friday
Reading for November 27th: Romans 11-13
Weekly reading for November 22-28: John 16-21
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
John 21:15
The National Retail Federation estimates that 135.8 million people plan to shop in-store or online this weekend. Richard Feinberg of Purdue University says that while we're more likely to see a modest gain in spending from last year (he estimates around 965 billion), that we could potentially hit the one trillion dollar mark this year in sales.
One of the reasons Black Friday works is because of the marketing strategy called the "Door Buster." It's a deal you that is offered for a limited time and in limited supply. The idea is that if you're willing to come in at midnight to wait in a long line to buy the super cheap flat screen TV, that you'll likely buy some other things as well.
It also creates a kind of feeding frenzy. Everyone says that they hate the Black Friday crowds, but if that were true Black Friday would cease to be so effective. No, part of the reason it's so successful is because the rush of adrenaline everyone feels when they come into a packed shopping mall full of people.
But it's good to pause amid this hysteria to think about what's most important. First, it should be said that there is nothing wrong with enjoying the gifts God has given us, nor sharing those gifts with those we love (God gives us richly all things to enjoy, 1 Tim 6:17; also Eccl 2:24-25; 8:15). However, there are so many warnings in the scripture about materialism. Consider a few principles to keep in mind when shopping:
1. Don't forget about Thursday (Thanksgiving) on Friday. Contentment begins with a thankful heart for what you already have (1 Thess 5:18).
2. Don't forget who you are. We are called to be distinct and different than the consumeristic culture we live in (Rom 12:2).
3. Remember where you're going and that you can't take it with you. (1 Tim 6:6-8).
4. Consider how you are conditioning your children to see themselves and the world around them. Give them gifts (by all means!), but remind them that we don't define ourselves by the things we own. Our spending should reflect that perspective (1 Tim 6:17-19).
5. And finally, remember what Jesus said about our heart following our treasure (Mt 6:21). The more we store up for ourselves, the heavier our handcuffs become holding us to this world.
Father, help us to enjoy your gifts, but not to trust in uncertain riches. Help us to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. May we store up this treasure as a foundation for the future, so that we might take hold of that which is truly life.
