This morning, the news is jabbering about a man in Long Island, New York, who was trampled to death in a Black Friday shopping spree. Walmart workers were trying to restrain the crowds, who wanted the doors opened before the 5 A.M. time. Some had been waiting at the store since 9 P.M. the night before.
Having worked a few years at Walmart, I've seen first-hand the shopping frenzy that's generated over a "good buy." Customers trying to snatch merchandise from another customer's cart; shouting matches and fist-fights breaking out over a $20 item. The phone in electronics is jammed with calls from folks asking if we can "hold one of those DVD players," in a sly attempt to cheat the crowds out of their prize.
A day or two later, Mary Jo Smartshopper is bragging to a friend about the DVD player she got so cheap. Meanwhile, a family sits in a funeral home viewing room, crying over the loss of their dad.
We are a country of consumers. That's what we do: consume. Most, if not all of the laws found in the Old Testament involve selfishness and greed. We don't put God first (the first two commandments) because WE want to be in charge. We don't go to church because OUR time is too important to be wasted. We want someone dead because they get in out way and deny our happiness in some form or another. We steal another person's spouse even though our plate is already full.
In a parable concerning self-centeredness, Jesus spoke of a man who had it all but wanted more.
One of the biggest problems God had with Israel was that His people wanted to imitate the other nations. They coveted everything from how they worshipped (usually in drunken sexual orgies) to ways to get ahead (by sacrificing their kids to pagan gods.) Scripture says, “They mingled with the nations, and learned their practices, served their idols, which became a snare to them.” (Ps 106:36)
Are we any different? If you claim to be a Christian, and are ignoring the poor Lazarus under your feet as you head for Walmart's electronics department, ask yourself the question. If you answer with a self-righteous, "I go to church," or "I'm a good Catholic," you'll find hell waiting for you at the end.
In the story about the Rich Man and Lazarus, the former went to hell. Why? Jesus doesn't say. But the principle is clear: this guy was aware of poor ol' Lazarus, and cared not a wit about him. He has more important things to attend to. His time and agenda were superior to that of the poor man's.
In Matthew 25, there is a single issue that divides those who enter heaven and those who depart into darkness: concern for others. In 1 Corinthians 13, the famous Love Chapter, this principle is pounded down: It don't matter how much work you do for the Lord, if you are self-centered, forget about an eternity in heaven with God.
Ever look at your computer's documents directory? Windows automatically creates folders, called MyDocuments, MyPictures, MyMusic, etc. It's a seemingly innocent way to identify what's on your hard drive. But it's also a subtle reinforcement of Self. This is MY stuff. Apple computer has labeled its products, iMac, iPod, and iPhone. Again, it's making YOU seem important.
Marketers have been using this strategy for years. Burger King broke new ground in the fast food industry by making hamburgers YOUR way. You're in control, they were saying. We'll march to YOUR orders and obey YOU.
As long as we get your money.
In the world of big business and big money, Wall Street marketing wizards will pump your ego as long as they are getting paid. They buy you cheap. It doesn't cost them a penny to put you as Number One.
Some consumers, knowing this, will work the system to try and get something for nothing. Having worked in retail and fast food for a number of years now, I've seen it pulled off again and again. People order a meal at a McDonald's and off they go. An hour or so later, the store gets a call from the customer, who claims that the fries were missing from the order. For fear of losing a "valuable" customer, McDonald's will take the customer's name and promise them a free meal the next time they come by the store.
As a former McDonald's employee, I've seen this scam carried out time and again, even though there are checks in place to prevent "missing fries." Management knows this, but writes it off as another expense. After all, the primary mission is to make the corporation richer. We don't want those "valued" customers taking their business to the competition. Guess what? Those same lying customers are pulling the same scams there, also.
Another tactic is used everyday at retail outlets nationwide by crafty customers. It's the ol' "this doesn't work, gimme my money back" scam. Big screen TVs are bought a week before the Big Game and returned a week later due to some imagined problem with the set. It's gotten so bad, that companies like CostCo have tightened their return policy on high dollar electronics.
Mowers and weedeaters are bought and used to do the yard in order to pass the landlord's inspection so they can get their deposit back when moving out. The equipment is then returned to the store. You can see it in the warehouse with "defective" tags attached, all kinds of bogus claims written why the stuff didn't work.
Even paint is returned. The owner buys a gallon, uses half of it to paint a bathroom, and brings it back, claiming the paint was bad. Those who've worked the system long enough know that a loud, demanding voice to a young cashier will bring the management running, who are anxious to qwell any disturbances that may make other customers leave the store.
Another area that highlights how much importance we place on ourselves is seen in the way we drive. My time is more important than yours. Who parks illegally in the handicapped zones? Some guy with a temporary cast on his leg? Nope. Typically, it's a healthy adult male with an earnest stomach driving a Ford Super Duty. Or a rich yuppie in their stylish Mercedes who is in a hurry.
People tailgate me constantly because I drive the speed limit. The second an opportunity presents itself, they gun the gas and roar around me at high speed. To double their irritation, they've stared at my window sticker for the past several minutes that says, "Real men love Jesus."
