Own Everything Day

[Jesus said,] “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:19 (NRSV) 

Remember “Buy Nothing Day”? It was invented by a Canadian artist in the ’90s as a pushback against rampant consumerism. A few years in, the date got moved from sometime in September to the day after Thanksgiving, when the horrifying excesses of Black Friday began to reveal themselves: people injured or even killed in stampedes when retailers opened early for bonanza sales. We were being consumed along with all that stuff.  

I admit I was a big noisy obnoxious prophet for Buy Nothing Day back when I had less money to buy things. It felt deliciously righteous to stand against the evils of extractive capitalism, disposable everything, the very definition of storing up all our treasures on earth. I’d bark back at the TV news: “Just look at the ugliness of those faces contorted in rage, the crushing Darwinian horrors!” 

My faith motivated me to make that stand. Also, I hate crowds, and it was easier to stay home and keep cruising the pie counter, one bite at a time. 

Decades have gone by. Black Friday has become Black Friday Season, dense with the aroma of pumpkin spice. Fewer consumers are stomped to death. But this creeping form of capitalism still inflicts unimaginable harm on humans and the earth. And it has captured even me, with its online ease and brain-hacking algorithms that make me think I am one same-day-Prime-delivery away from being perfectly at peace and provided for. 

I’ll be honest. My family isn’t getting homemade potholders for Christmas. But as y’all are my witness, I’m going to set some boundaries around shopping. I may not go cold turkey, but I’m going to spend more time eating cold turkey and less scratching the retail therapy itch. Nine out of ten times when I hunger to shop, I’ll stop and pray instead: for retail workers, delivery van drivers, every soul in factories overseas, and the Earth herself.  

Prayer
Everything will be consumed by moth and rust eventually, even me. Drown out the voices of other gods, and remind me that I already “own” everything worth having, lovely One.

About the Author
Rev. Molly Baskette is the lead pastor of First Church Berkeley UCC and the author of books about church renewal, parenting, spiritual growth and more. Sign up for her author newsletter or get information about her newest book at mollybaskette.com.