Richard Ritenbaugh graphically describes the predatory, feral looks on customer's faces as they charged into the malls and supermarkets on Black Friday, displaying a greedy, materialistic, covetous attitude, characteristic of modern secularism. Materialism is based upon the premise that only matter exists, excluding anything connected with spiritual. Consequently, seeking pleasure or joy and avoiding pain is the only motivation for living. Materialism advocates that spirit does not exist, and that accumulating the most toys before expiring is our highest goal. The Bible, on the other hand, records that God is Spirit, and man's destiny is to become composed of God's Spirit, a member of the God family. The command against coveting helps us to avoid becoming wrapped up in ourselves or having inordinate greed for our neighbor's possessions. When a nation reaches a materialistic mindset, it is on its way to oblivion. The same thing happens to our spiritual well-being if we take on that materialistic mindset.

Black Friday Covetousness Desire Epicurean God is Spirit Chamad Holy Spirit Keeping up with the Joneses Materialism Matter Secularism Seek joy, avoid pain