By Glen Bowman, Minister at 3rd & Kilgore Church of Christ
Black Friday can be great! I still remember seeing big towels for $2 and buying a dress shirt for $2. Who doesn’t like good deals?But should it be celebrated? And what issues surround how we might react to Black Friday or buying things in general? While the Bible never mentions Black Friday, it mentions principles behind it that we should consider!
One of the things that the Bible warns us against is covetousness, which means having a great desire to possess something. Of course, this may not seem like a big deal in America, the land of opportunity and living the American Dream! However, Ephesians 5:5 says that “you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Basically, if you have a strong desire for things, you are an idol worshipper who’s not going to be rewarded in the end. That sounds weighty, but that’s God’s perspective on covetousness!
Jesus warns that we can’t serve two masters and those masters can include money and physical possessions (Matthew 6:24). On the other hand, the Bible says that “godliness with contentment is great gain…if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:6, 8). We may think that we need a lot, but we don’t! A survey was given about 100 years ago, askingpeople what things they couldn’t live without, and they came up with a list of 17 things (if I remember correctly). This same question was asked of people recently and the list had over 100 items! People may change in their perspective of needs, but God’s list in 1 Timothy 6 is much shorter.
One incident with Jesus shows how drastic his view is against covetousness. When teaching a crowd in Luke 12:13-15, “someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And He said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’”The man probably was supposed to receive part of the inheritance, but Jesus warned against covetousness instead of trying to get that person more stuff!
As we approach this Christmas season, people seem more inclined to give. Charitable organizations have been flooding my inbox and mailbox, hoping to take advantage of the generous spirit that people seem to have at least once a year. However, this giving mindset should be with us always, as shown by Paul in Acts 20:33-35, “I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Paul worked to provide for others and knew that it was better to give than receive.
Is our attitude the same as Paul’s attitude? Are we working hard to get more things, a nicer home, and a bigger bank account? Or are we working to bless others and be blessed by God, as opposed to filling our homes with more stuff? These are questions we should probably ask ourselves when considering a purchase during Black Friday, or at any other time!
