Inspired by the church Christmas card showing clothes on hangers, I thought I would base this week’s thoughts on clothes.
Once the Christmas buying rush has passed, we have the sales. Crowds of shoppers, majority women, rifle through rails of mismatched garments in huge and tiny sizes to find the prize of an unmissable bargain.
I have had some wonderful successes in sales – a favourite pair of fur lined boots for example, that I wore for years; but more often, weary hours of searching and queuing, result in something that doesn’t quite fit, or is an odd colour and doesn’t really get worn that much and in the end turns out to be worse value for money than a regular purchase.
What is it about the allure of a bargain, getting something for next to nothing? As a child growing up in the Methodist Church, our fundraising events never included tombolas or lotteries or anything that involved games of chance - gain for no work.
Paul had plenty to say on the subject of working before enjoying rewards:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-8 [NIV]
Mairi Mowbray
No comments:
Post a Comment