Sadly, it happens every year on Black Friday. People are killed or injured during the annual shopping day. According to blackfridaydeathcount.com, in the last 10 years there have been nine deaths and 102 injuries directly involving Black Friday shoppers. People have been shot, trampled, stabbed, beaten, pepper-sprayed, and hit by cars while seeking the year’s best bargains.
Jesus warns us to be on our guard against greed because life consists of more than just what we can possess. And Paul identifies greed for what it is—idolatry. We in the West usually view idolatry as something practiced in ancient times or in primitive cultures. We picture idols as wooden or bronze statues residing in temples to which people bring offerings and bow down in worship. We don’t typically view ourselves as in danger of practicing idolatry.
But I can’t help get the image of idolatry out of my mind when I view videos from Black Friday. People camped out in front of large buildings containing items they desperately want, rushing through the doors to grab them, and then paying out hundreds of dollars to own them.
But this is not limited to Black Friday. Think of every time a new iPhone is released. People line up by the thousands all across the country in order to be one of the first to own them. It is not much of a stretch to overlay these images on those of idol worshippers in line at their temples.
I think Paul added “which is idolatry” to draw our attention to the great danger of greed. An idol is something to which we give great value and worship. But the Lord warns us, “You will have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)
You may not consider yourself an idolater, but if greed has captured your heart in any form, then you are guilty of idolatry. Today, examine yourself to ensure that you worship the Creator rather than the created. For your life consists of more than you can possess.
© Jim Musser 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment