Greed and Gifts

I can't stand made up words, especially nounds that are "verbed." The most common one this time of year is "gifting" which isn't a word. It doesn't exist. Just because some famous people or ads quoted it, doesn't make it right. So stop saying GIFTING before I gift you a dictionary to the face.

So another person died at a Black Friday event. This time it was a senior citizen (barely old enough to qualify) who had heart trouble and passed out at a Target. Nobody stopped to help, some even stepped over him as he lay on the floor. Finally an off duty ER nurse and EMT found him and attempted CPR, but he died anyway. I think we should boycott Target for allowing such a thing to happen. Wrongful death suits aren't enough - the company which allows for such blind greed to overcome the human element doesn't deserve to operate. I am reminded of the old proverb, if money is all you care about, money is all you've ever get.

More and more I do not understand the selfishness and greediness of our culture. If we are struggling to pay mortgages we can't afford and drive cars we can't pay for, why do we rush out to buy gifts and packages we don't likely need? Wouldn't a better gift to your family be a debt free rest of their lives filled with love and kindness? Too bad love and kindness never earned money. It is a fallen world where real virtues are replaced by sinful vices. Something makes me think Jesus mentioned this kind of blasphemy when he discussed the "Unforgiveable Sin," although I'm sure one of my pastor/chaplain readers can speak better about that than I.

I long sometimes for a life separated from the selfish, greedy, self-destructive behaviors of our culture. It is at times cause for me to doubt my patriotism for this country, if our country's ideals no longer support the ideals they originally stood for. Why continue to be part of a system that is so corrupt and rotted it confuses the positive trait of good stewardship with blind, furious grabbing at a store for plastic clam-wrapped figurines and gizmos?

I am more and more sickened by our national behavior. Maybe seeing it from farther away gives me a different perspective, but it makes me feel like Jonah, not wanting to minister or witness to such a disgraced people, rather wanting to leave them to their ultimate doom. But God makes it clear, His concern is for all people, even those we do not see s "saveable."

I'm thankful God sent Jonah to me, so I wouldn't be lost in Nineveh. Now I have to try to bring others out with me.