Cyber Monday: A Catholic Perspective

Seven years ago, "Cyber Monday" was born when Shop.org first coined the phrase. Since then, the Monday following Thanksgiving has become synonymous with shopping online.

With all of the deals on Black Friday, why does everyone wait until Monday morning to shop online? Well, after a weekend spent with family and friends, many consumers may find themselves back in front of a computer for the first time when they return to work on Monday.

In 2010, according to a study done by the National Retail Federation, 70% of Americans shopped online during work hours. This has led to over $1 billion being spent online on Cyber Monday - a staggering statistic.

These statistics are promising for our economy, and as someone working with a budding online Catholic store, www.ParishWebStore.com (shameless plug), it is encouraging for the industry. However, what bothers me as a Catholic is the wasted time at work.

In Colossians 3, we are told:

Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ. -Colossians 3:23-24, RSV

If we are working for Christ, do you think that He would be pleased knowing that we are shopping online during work hours? How would your boss feel?

I know there are incredible deals on Cyber Monday, but they can wait. Either wake up early and do your shopping before work, wait for your lunch hour, or do your shopping online when you get home that evening. I promise, a majority of the deals will still be there.

Even if you miss "the deal of the century," how does saving $10 weigh up against doing something you know to be wrong? Are the savings really worth it? Can you put a price tag on doing the right thing?

I challenge you to take the moral high road. Americans already waste enough time at work with Facebook, Twitter, and other Internet distractions; don't add cyber-shopping to the list.

We are all guilty of wasted time at work - myself included - but let's send a message to retailers and big corporations that we will not set aside our values for the sake of a good deal. When you work for the Lord, you gain the inheritance as your reward, and that is far greater than any Cyber Monday special.

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