Somebody woke up this morning in tears because they couldn’t afford any of the black Friday sales. You’ve been trying to figure out how you’re going to make ends meet the last few weeks and now that Christmas is coming up, you don’t know what to do. You just celebrated Thanksgiving with family and you ate more than you should have and yet you’re still down. You have a place to sleep, healthy kids, food to eat, TV to watch but yet you’re still down. You’re not upset because you got bad news from the doctor, your lights are off, car won’t work or death has knocked at your door but because you don’t have money to shop. Are you serious, really? You’d rather get up at 1am, get dressed to stand in a line that is wrapped around a building for an $8 toaster or blender when Wal-Mart will have 30 of them next week? You’re crying because you want to get this Xbox game for your son that he’s been asking for, but he is failing at school. You’re crying because you can’t afford the new cell phone your daughter wants but she won’t even clean up her room after asking 12 times. Chile, cut it out! You weren’t raised with none of the stuff that kids these days get and looked how you turned out. You never stood talking back and being disrespectful to your parents but you allow yours to do it and then you turn right around and reward them. No ma’am! No sir! This is foolishness. If you don’t have the money for it, then tell them no and if you can afford it and they are undeserving, tell them no. But instead you’re wrapped up like a mummy in clothes, trying to stay warm for a Black Friday sale.
If I stopped ten (10) people coming out of Wal-Mart this morning and asked them if they got what they came for, all of them would probably say no. So why are you rushing to spend money you don’t have anyway? You’re rushing to put yourself into debt that it’ll take you half of next year to get out off. You’re rushing to get a TV that the store only ordered fifteen (15) of and there is 100 people wanting the same one. I don’t know about most of you but Black Friday is just another Friday for me. I’m at work while the kids are at home probably still asleep. I don’t think standing in a check-out line for 2 hours is worth the sale price of any item and I’ve never had the desire to get pushed and shoved for a few dollars off anything. Because I know that if I “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. (Psalm 37:4)”
It is simply amazing to me the lengths that folk will go to in order to get to an item on black Friday but come Sunday morning you couldn’t beat them out of bed for church. Yea, they’ll quickly spend a few hundred dollars in Target but complain about giving God 10%. But wasn’t God the one who blessed you with the job when you knew you didn’t meet all of the qualifications? Hasn’t he kept you from drowning in bills even though you haven’t worked in months? Hasn’t he given you all that you’ve asked for simply because you believe his word in Matthew 7:8 that says, “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened?” Then why can’t God get some of the same time you put into Black Friday? You go to bed early so you won’t miss the sales but you complain about the time church starts. You spend the few extra dollars to get those shoes you want but complain when you have to put $2 for offering. You stand in line for 4 hours to get in the store and then 2 hours to get out the store but you roll your eyes when church service last a few minutes longer. You’re excited to visit 4 stores to get the sales but let the secretary announce a church outing and you’re the first one mumbling under your breath.
Doesn’t God deserve the same dedication you put into Black Friday? You’ll put in a vacation day for the sale but you wouldn’t dare miss work for Sunday worship. Haven’t you read Matthew 6:19 that say “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal?” Worldly possessions can be taken from you just as quickly as the breath from your body. Not all folk are holy and they sit back and wait for you to purchase all of the things they want so they can go in, once you’re gone, and get them. You are so busy rushing from store that you don’t even notice folks watching you. You’d better slow down and get your priorities straight. I’ve said this a few times before but I think it needs to be said again. Christmas isn’t about the gifts under the tree, the tree nor the decorations. We need to get back to the real meaning. Stop taking the Christ out of Christmas because he’ll be the one you’re calling on afterwards when the money is gone. I am not saying don’t spend the money you’ve worked hard for but if you know you can’t afford to then be realistic. Yea, I know that the bills will always be there even after you’re gone but MLGW won’t take excuses when they come to shut off your power. There are plenty of ways to give gifts without spending every dime in your pocket and if you honestly look around, there is probably not much your kids need anyway. Be smart this holiday season and get back to the real reason for it. Matthew 6:20 says “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” For the blessings and the joy that God has waiting for you can’t be taken away and you don’t have to wait until Black Friday to get it.
Lakisha, the Author 
like always you are on point. keep it up!!!