“When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping”

The Holidays are upon us—today begins the December countdown of shopping days to Christmas. Black Friday and Cyber Monday have already surpassed even the most optimistic expectations; economists are predicting a banner year for retailers. (I wonder how much of these sales were on credit cards?)

Considering that 83% of Americans remain anxious about the world economy, and that the world is fraught with more political ‘hot spots’ than any time in recent memory (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Syria), it appears that Americans may be trying to spend their way out of the doldrums and into a Christmas spirit— to quote the American maxim, “when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.”

Some things never change! Three millennia ago, Isaiah chided the people for spending their money on that which does not satisfy (Is. 55:2). And Solomon (the richest man alive at the time) concluded, “Give me neither poverty nor riches. Give me just enough to satisfy my needs” (Prov. 30:8). Though I doubt that such a philosophy would be heralded by retailers, it would certainly bring more peace on earth.