[A ‘Tuesday Challenge’ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during November 2024]
In many parts of the USA the Friday after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. The official date for Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November, which means that, in theory, Black Friday 2024 is 29th November but the particular activities that gave the day its fame are rarely confined to just that date.
Several reasons have been advanced for the name, ranging from the impact of post-Thanksgiving absenteeism amongst workers to the more popular idea that, having spent most of the year working to cover annual taxes, retailers can now look forward to a profitable season leading up to Christmas. Several large retailers chose to celebrate this milestone by offering one-off discounts and in due course this practice spread to smaller retailers and to many other countries.
Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot — they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building
Luke 17 v28 [ESVUK]
In response to a question about Black Friday a Muslim forum advised that the faithful believer should avoid extravagance and squandering. Sales and deals should not prompt him to waste his money on things that he does not need.[1] In 2019 a Welsh government website summed up Black Friday by calling it ‘Dydd Gwener y Gwario Gwirion’ which translates as ‘Silly Spending Friday’.[2]
The prophet Isaiah conveyed a message from God that is particularly relevant at this time of year:
Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Isaiah 55 v2 [NKJV]
For Christians there is another ‘Black Friday’. Of course, the name “Friday” as such does not appear in the Bible but we know it as ‘Good Friday’ and the events of that day have had eternal consequences. “Once in a lifetime” falls far short of describing the uniqueness of the transaction when Jesus Christ gave his life for us.
You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
1 Corinthians 7 v23 [ESVUK]
Are we tempted by the prospect of a bargain? If God has so blessed us that we can take advantage of the offers without being ensnared then we should echo the words ascribed to King Solomon, a man who knew a thing or two about buying and selling:
Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 5 v19 [NIVUK]
It is appropriate to return to the concept of ‘Thanksgiving’. Have we acknowledged the source of our blessings, both temporal and eternal? Are we thankful? Surely, we should share our blessings and declare our gratitude.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.
P P Bliss, 1876
References:
[1] islamqa.info, 17/Feb/2023
[2] Tweet from Welsh Government, 29/Nov/2019
Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.
Bible dates:
Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.
Horley Baptist Church onlineHBC main site
Confidential prayer link
Link to Recent Reflections
Link to Index of Bible Passages
Last week’s reflection: Trust but Verify
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys