Matthew 6:30-33

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” vs. 33

While the term “Black Friday” has been around for some time, occasionally with negative connotations, it swept into the nation’s consciousness with a vengeance during the 1980’s. Retailers have discovered that they can sell loads of merchandise by offering heavily discounted items in stores and on-line. While in the beginning the sales were offered only on the Friday after Thanksgiving, we can now get the deals over the entire 4 day holiday weekend. Black Friday has truly become a shopping frenzy! In some families the traditional Thanksgiving meal has lost its leisurely component as gluttony is threatened by greed in a full-scale battle of mortal sins. And Jesus tells us that all that hungering and thirsting is pointless for those who yearn to be his followers. He says that it’s the Gentiles who get all hot and bothered about stuffing their bellies and getting more stuff. Disciples, on the other hand, will strive first for the righteousness of the peaceable kingdom. They know that God will see that we get our daily bread, the things we need for daily living, and we don’t need to spend one second obsessing about the latest bargains and deals. And today’s a great day to settle back and give God thanks for all the stuff we already have!

Thought for the Day: How have I been affected by Black Friday?