Happy Holidays! This time of year is magic. The local weather here in Central Florida has finally gone from hot to less hot. Being able to walk outside without needing to towel off the sweat is enough to make you feel alive again! While this time of year has become so magical to me, in the past it has been very confusing to me. Think about it—as Americans, could there be two more polar-opposite feelings around two holidays that are so close together?

For the most part, Thanksgiving has remained true to its name in my life—we take time to give thanks. And a thankful heart results in generosity. I just heard of a local food bank that stopped  accepting turkeys because they have too many! No one gets offended if I say, “Happy Thanksgiving,” and I’ve never had any of my kids complain on Thanksgiving that they didn’t get what they asked for.

Christmas has not stayed true to its name in my life. The only part that feels right about the word “Christmas” is the “mas” part. For my friends who took French in high school, “mas” is the Spanish word for “more.” At Christmastime we’re in a rush, doing and going after more—so many events, school functions, and parties have already hit the calendar. This chaos results in less generosity. The same little old lady I was happy to give my parking spot to at the grocery store so she could load her fifteen-pound Butterball Turkey now gets a honk and an evil glare when she pulls in front of me while I’m out Christmas shopping. If I say “Merry Christmas” to certain people, they shoot back something like, “Don’t force your religion on me!” And with my kids? Dear Lord, forgive me for my failures as a dad, but man, Christmas can be tough. I’ve literally had a child cry because a family member gave them money for Christmas instead of a toy. So shortsighted was my son, that he couldn’t think of buying whatever he wanted in a day or two, he only saw that his cousins right here, right now had mas. That’s consumerism at its finest. Or is it?

For years I’ve been on an anti-consumerism rampage. I’ve secretly judged family members, friends, and teammates for not thinking before they buy something. I loved pointing out that in America the average house size has skyrocketed while the average family size has dwindled, leading to the logical conclusion that we are building bigger houses for less people and more stuff. I’d tell anyone who asked (and no one did) that this idea was stupid. Our refrigerators are huge, our garages so full that we cannot park our cars in them, and our credit cards are maxed.  “Do you really need that?” has been my favorite question. I’m beginning to soften on this, and not because I realized I was every bit as annoying as it sounds like I was, but because the God of the Bible is softening me.

Most people know the famous story of Esther in the Bible, but here’s the gist of it: A king reigns in the land. Many were people oppressed but none more than the Jewish people. The bad king needs a new wife (long story). He produces the world’s first episode of “The Bachelor.” Esther, an orphaned Jewish woman who was raised by her cousin, wins the “contest.” Wisely, her cousin convinces her not to reveal her heritage. Esther is now a queen, given more material possessions than she could ever dream.

Sounds great, right? She was the winner, brought up out of poverty and into extreme riches and prestige. She could be the ultimate consumer but something happened—it always does in God’s story—to change the direction. An evil man wanted to harm all the Jewish people in the land, especially Esther’s cousin, Mordecai. Cuz, as I’m sure Esther affectionately called him, got news of the plan and told Esther. One problem: If Esther goes to the king uninvited, the law says she can be killed. Here’s where I’ll leave you with actual Scripture. Mordecai speaks first:  

“‘And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, ‘Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.’” —Esther 4:14-16

There are so many applications that can come from this, but the one I’m starting to get now is this: Was it wrong that Esther’s house was a castle, her bank account full, her jewelry beautiful? No. How can inanimate objects be good or bad? Only Esther’s attitude toward those things could be good or bad. Had she made her position or possessions an idol? No. In fact, not only was she willing to give them up, she was willing to give up her own life! Now THAT is consumerism at its finest! (Spoilers: The end of the story is that Esther’s life is spared, and she, through her courage, brings an entire nation up with her.)

This season, if you find yourself going off on a tangent about the amount of consumerism going on in your life, remember the story of Esther. Remember the fact that one day it will all no longer be yours. Live like God may ask you for it back, because He already has. Whatever we have we are to use to bring Him glory.

Enjoy the holidays! Let’s be Thankful-Consumers, which is possible if we are just willing to give it all back when asked.

I hope you and your family had an incredible Thanksgiving and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

—Matt E Diaz

Check out Matt E’s profile on The Increase Baseball: http://theincreasebaseball.com/author/matt-e-diaz/

Matt E Davis is a regular contributor to The Increase and will be providing monthly articles and opinions.

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