For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
You’ve probably heard of ‘Black Friday’ – what used to be an American tradition of retail sales is now a global promotion, including a ‘Cyber Monday’ of online discounts which leads to some stores extending their offers to celebrate ‘Black Friday Weekend’, or even advertising early access for a whole ‘Black Friday Week’ of shopping throughout November.
The above scripture verse is taken from Jesus’ sermon on the mount, where He encourages us to not store up material treasures on Earth where they can be destroyed or stolen, but to instead store up treasures in Heaven as that’s where our focus should be, or as the Amplified Bible puts it, “your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers”.
It can be tempting to be drawn into buying the latest bargain, or collecting more of your favourite things (such as clothes, shoes, games, gadgets, etc), or just being attracted to the many marketing campaigns encouraging you to have the newest must-have items otherwise you will miss out. However as Christians, we’re called to be good stewards of our money. John Kirkby, founder of Christians Against Poverty, made a series with us, Managing Money, where he looked at calming the craziness of spending and debts with biblical principles and wisdom:
As we approach a busy shopping season, perhaps take a moment to reflect on is this where I should be putting my time and resources towards right now? Retail therapy may improve our mood temporarily, but long-lasting contentment is only found in Jesus. As it says later on in the chapter:
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
