Thought for the Week

by Reverend James McNay, West Kilbride Parish Church

There is a new tradition that has crept up on us in the last few years in the UK – I wonder if you have noticed?

It is the day known as ‘Black Friday’ – the day after Thanksgiving in the United States – and something that we seem to have inherited from over the pond. This year it takes place on 27th November.

Black Friday is a holiday for many in the United States, and in some ways is the official start of the Christmas shopping season. Lots of stores take part, there are meant to be bargains galore and huge amounts of money are spent.

But in the last few years, Black Friday is also something that has happened in this country – initially with Amazon and Asda (then owned by Walmart) with lots of other retailers following suit.

Now, I am no Scrooge, but I have the feeling that things like Black Friday bring out the worst side of humanity. I’m sure that most of us have seen the scenes from America where there have been fights over TV’s and games consoles. Unbelievably, since 2006, there have been 12 deaths and 117 injuries due to violence on Black Friday in the US. And there have been scenes in the UK not much better!

Obviously, this year, Black Friday will be very different as it will be held online – but the question is...is it really worth it?

Do we really need all this stuff that we are buying? It is very easy to be caught up in the hype!

The Bible has a lot to say about material wealth and about the fact that it shouldn’t be our priority. Rather, Jesus talks about storing up ‘treasure in heaven’ by honouring him. We are to love God, then to love our neighbour as ourselves. Life isn’t about what we have – it is about who we are and what we do.

There is a poem written in 2012 by Bri Mar which says this:

When (the rich) arrive at Heaven’s gate,

They all put on a frown,

No debit cards or hard fast cash,

Just a plain white gown.

God says: ‘On Earth you were rich and famous,

You stood out in a crowd.

But you cannot take it with you,

‘There are no pockets in a shroud’’