As the Christmas season approaches, we now dive into the annual consumer frenzy known as Black Friday. For many, it is a day to hunt for discounts, upgrade gadgets, or acquire the latest trends. Whether folks have been waiting to make purchases or just shopping—the idea that unbeatable deals are available drives many people to the mall. But in the midst of all the excitement, we are presented with an opportunity to reflect on a deeper question: what does our relationship with material goods reveal about our Catholic Faith, our values, and our calling as stewards of God’s creation?
In a culture driven by consumerism, where the acquisition of goods often becomes synonymous with happiness and fulfillment, it is crucial to pause and consider how Catholic teaching offers an alternative vision—one rooted in the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of creation, and the proper ordering of our desires. Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum provides invaluable insight into this discussion, offering a timeless perspective on the morality of economic life, the nature of work, and the right relationship between man and material goods.
Our Role as Stewards
At the heart of Catholic social teaching lies the profound truth that all creation is a gift from God. As stewards of this gift, we are called not only to care for it but to use it responsibly, keeping in mind its true purpose: to serve the common good and to honor God. This understanding forms the foundation of Pope Leo XIII’s vision in Rerum Novarum. He wrote that material goods, in themselves, are good but must be used in a way that respects human dignity and the dignity of work.
Pope Leo’s message was clear: human beings were not created to be dominated by material things. Rather, we are to use the world’s resources wisely, with an eye toward the well-being of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable. The goods of the earth are meant to serve the needs of all, not to create inequality or foster greed. As Rerum Novarum reminds us:
Whoever has received from the divine bounty a large share of temporal blessings, whether they be external and material, or gifts of the mind, has received them for the purpose of using them for the perfecting of his own nature, and, at the same time, that he may employ them, as the steward of God’s providence. (22)
In our modern context, Black Friday offers an opportunity to reflect on whether we have rightly ordered our relationship with goods. The pursuit of material wealth, when detached from our spiritual calling, can lead to excess, discontent, and even idolatry. Goods are not bad in themselves; but when they are sought as ends in themselves—when they become an obsession or a source of pride—they lose their true purpose and distort our relationship with God and our neighbors.
A Subversion of Stewardship
The modern consumer culture, especially visible during Black Friday sales, often undermines the very principles of stewardship. Instead of fostering gratitude for the goods we have, it encourages a mentality of never having enough. It tells us that happiness can be bought, that fulfillment lies in the acquisition of more and more material goods, and that the value of a person can be measured by their possessions.
In Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII warns against this dangerous dynamic, recognizing the way in which an unregulated market can exploit the worker and degrade human dignity. When profit becomes the driving force—whether in the exploitation of labor or the glorification of material excess—the true meaning of work and the purpose of creation are lost. Consumerism, in its most destructive form, reduces people to mere consumers, leaving behind the richness of human relationships, work, and communal life.
Catholic teaching calls us to resist this trend and to place goods in their proper context: as tools to serve our needs and promote human flourishing, not as idols to worship. Excessive consumerism breeds isolation, competition, and a lack of community. It leads people to believe that what we have defines who we are, rather than recognizing that our worth is rooted in our relationship with God and others.
The Virtue of Moderation
Saying “all things in moderation” might sound cliché and overused, but there is some practical wisdom there. The Church offers a beautiful antidote to the excesses of consumerism through the virtue of moderation. In Catholic moral theology, moderation—or temperance—is a key virtue, one that enables us to enjoy the good things of this world without becoming enslaved by them. Moderation teaches us to exercise discernment in our desires, to choose wisely, and to always keep our ultimate goal in mind: union with God.
During this holiday season, the call to moderation is particularly timely. While there is nothing wrong with celebrating and giving gifts, the Catholic approach invites us to do so in a way that reflects our true priorities. Rather than seeking to satisfy fleeting desires through material purchases, we are called to seek deeper joy in relationships, service to others, and acts of charity. In Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII affirms that our work and our wealth should be directed not toward selfish gain, but toward building a just and caring society.
This balance also extends to the family. Family life, at its best, is marked by shared values, love, and the cultivation of virtues. When the family unit becomes consumed with the acquisition of goods—whether through shopping, status, or social comparison—its deeper mission is compromised. Pope Francis, in Laudato Si’, echoes this message, urging us to simplify our lives, reduce waste, and embrace a lifestyle that prioritizes the care of both people and the planet. “True ecological approach,” he writes, “always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”
Reclaiming the True Meaning of Creation
As we enter into this holiday season, let us remember that the goods of this world are gifts to be cherished and used wisely—not consumed mindlessly. In a culture that often equates possessions with happiness, Catholic teaching calls us to a higher vision: one rooted in stewardship, moderation, and love of neighbor. In this way, we can reclaim the right ordering of creation, and find true fulfillment not in the things we accumulate, but in the way we live, love, and serve.
Through a careful reflection on the moral implications of consumerism—guided by the teachings of Pope Leo XIII, Pope Francis, and the rich tradition of the Church—we can begin to reorder our lives, putting God and others before goods, and embracing a life of simplicity, joy, and generosity. This Black Friday, let us not be swept away by the tide of materialism, but instead commit ourselves to a more faithful, virtuous path—one that honors both God’s creation and our human dignity.
Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash
