The busiest shopping and gift-giving season is upon us and about to slip into overdrive. But is anyone else feeling the Black Friday burnout? Do we need all of this stuff ...even if it's a "Doorbuster?" All this stuff can't satisfy us ...but now what?
Admit it: Black Friday and Cyber Monday give the appeal of being fun. Stellar deals, must-have items, and exclusive offers. According to Capital One, it's estimated that "American consumers spend over $10 billion shopping online on Black Friday; with the addition of in-store spending, U.S. retail revenue exceeds $20 billion." Just look at these stats:
* Black Friday 2024 e-commerce increased 10.2%.
* The average shopper spends $650 from Black Friday to Cyber Monday.
* 87.3 million Americans shopped online for Black Friday last year.
* 66.9% of Thanksgiving Weekend shoppers make purchases on Black Friday.
It's the busiest shopping season, but when it slips into overdrive, are the deals worth it? Tons of steals and doorbusters knock on our doors, and we're tempted to buy even if we don't need them, when our own propensity to crave more leaves us feeling less than. God reminds us that it is far better to give than to receive.
The Cultural Cycle of More and What it Does to Our Souls
Why does Black Friday exhaust us? As a child, I loved nothing more than the thrill and chase of a good deal. The older I grew, however, I realized that it was just stuff. I wasn't excited about buying items, but who I was spending my time and energy on.
As 2025 turns into 2026, expectations seem to grow: bigger gifts, better sales, and holiday perfection. Amid the frenzy, 9 in 10 Americans (87%) feel financially stressed (KNDU), 41% struggle to maintain their budget (AICPA), and over a quarter spend more than they make (Investopedia). Why budget and save when you can put it on a card and pay later?
Sadly, the more society buys into the belief that more is better, the more spiritually depleted we become. According to Medium, we're all becoming bankrupt, "not of a monetary nature, but a spiritual one. The circumstances of [our] lives have sucked [us] dry without a means of replenishing [our] savings and caused [us] to overdraft [our] spiritual bank accounts." So, we've established a problem, but what's the solution?
The Bible's Reorientation
In Scripture, Jesus flips these ideals upside down. It's better to give than to receive. It's better to be poor than to be rich. Paul even recites Jesus' beatitudes in Acts 20:35: "And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (NIV).
Compared to culture, this sounds crazy. How in the world is it better to give than to receive? To be poor instead of rich? But at the crux of Christianity is a way of life that builds on the joy, community, and contentment that come from a life of giving oneself away. Jesus flips the script because it's what we need to live our best lives.
Receiving, when expected or excessive, can create spiritual numbness, but giving out gives itself every single time. Desiring God describes it this way: by giving, know that God will outgive you, God gives treasures that will not fail, and your Heavenly Father will reward you. When faced with the opportunity to give, think of Christian love.
Why We Keep Craving More Stuff
Is choosing to give instead of always receiving challenging? Absolutely. We live in a world that constantly craves more and more stuff. Not only that, but we struggle with comparison, pressure, and insecurity. We think the more we acquire, the happier we will be. But here's the truth:
Craving more only leaves us feeling emptier inside. Craving more leaves us feeling less than, and like we'll never have enough to measure up. And this is why Jesus taught about the importance of treasure in Matthew 6:19-21:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (NIV).
Joy doesn't come from what we buy, but who we belong to. The sooner we come to that realization, the better we will be able to live out a lifestyle of giving rather than buying loads of stuff we don't need, and realign our hearts this holiday season.
Realigning Our Hearts
If you desire to realign your heart this holiday season, I would encourage you to shift your focus from consumption to compassion. Think about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and everything in between as a precious and timely season. It's not a marathon purchasing time, but a moment for generosity, love, and grace.
If you can't give financially, remember that Jesus cares about your heart. You can give non-material gifts such as time, service, presence, or encouragement. And those things matter just as much to the Kingdom of Heaven. Why? Because they model Jesus' generosity towards us.
If you're looking for simple ways to live out a better-to-give lifestyle, here are some practical applications to get you started:
1. Set a budget.
Not just a financial budget, but a heart one. Ask God where and what He'd ask you to give, and be obedient. Remember, you can give your time and energy even if you aren't able to give financially.
2. Practice one moment of generosity every week.
Make it a challenge to serve someone in need at least once a week. It could be as simple as opening the door for them at Church, or buying a cup of coffee for the person in front of you at Starbucks.
3. Give relational gifts.
This year, instead of giving physical gifts, make an important phone call to a loved one, write a note, or serve a meal. You could also purchase experiences for you and a loved one to experience together.
4. Decultter before buying more.
Instead of buying just to buy, look at what you actually need. Then, give away gently used items to those in need.
5. Ask God a simple question before any purchase.
Instead of just buying rapidly and whenever you feel like it, ask God, "Does this help me to love well?" You could also ask: "Do I really need this?"
Friends, our culture will continue to scream "more, more, more," but we can choose to be different. This season, consider what brings lasting joy and learn to give rather than receive. Focus on a slower, Jesus-centered holiday season, and aim to celebrate as He would.
A Prayer to Be Content with Less
Dear Jesus,
Please free us from consumerism and help us to embrace a heart of generosity and presence. Please enable us to live a holiday season full of giving rather than receiving. In doing so, to transform us and the world around us. Thank you for modeling these principles well. We love, praise, and thank you, Lord.
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Markus Spiske
