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Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
Psalm 49:16-17
New International Version (NIV)
"Black Friday", the biggest shopping day of the year in the U.S., has come and gone. Over the next few weeks consumers will be spending billions on material goods to be given as gifts to others or bought for themselves. A boon for the economy, but perhaps a detriment to the soul.
Though touted as a season of good will toward others, it's difficult not to see a bit of the greed in this event that is meant to celebrate the birth of a Savior. Companies are focused on the profits. Employees clamor for bigger wages and more benefits. Children are making their lists of what they want Santa to bring them.
Sometimes Christmas seems more about the goods than about the good that we can find within us and others. It doesn't take long for much of that stuff we've received at Christmas to end up stored away in closets, cluttering room space, or even ending up in the trash heap. Can all of this increase really be considered gain?
Perhaps it's time we think less about the presents and more about the Presence. Life is short and passes quickly. Enjoy the presence of family and friends and most of all, the presence of God. The real reason for this season is not seeing how many more possessions we can accumulate.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
New International Version (NIV)
