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How Much Do the Holidays Cost?
Thursday, November 20, 2025 by Sarah Schwerin

Categories: Life Lessons

For me, stores become magical places in November and December: the music, the displays, the bright colors. The season begins shiny and exciting. But then I must decide who to buy for and what to give. It leaves me exhausted.

During the holidays, choices take on a new intensity. Every day is full of a million choices. Besides gift buying, there are holiday parties, family meals, and congested highways. We double and triple-check our lists to ensure we give everyone a gift and attend all events.

Yet every choice has a cost.

In January, bank accounts and clothes shrink, while family drama makes blood pressure grow like our waistlines. We have to ask, was it worth the price we paid?

In the Bible, Lot had a choice to make. After pitching his tent next to his uncle for most of his life (if not all), he needed to move. As the elder, Uncle Abram could have made this choice for Lot. Abram could have selected the best piece of land for himself. Instead, the uncle let his nephew choose.

Genesis 13 tells us that Lot looked around and chose the well-watered Jordan Valley. Like the corner piece of cake with all the icing, he grabbed the best piece of land for himself. But as with too much sweetness, regret soon followed.

“Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD,” Genesis 13:12-13 NASB1995.

Did Lot consider what his choice would cost him?

Everything seemed to go well…for a while. After a snafu with some warring kings, Lot rose to power in the city. He became wealthier than before and found husbands for his daughters.

But the inhabitants of the city lived up to their reputations. They made decisions that grieved God, so He destroyed their town.

Lot’s choice to live in Sodom cost him his wife, home, and sons-in-law. Because of his decision, his descendants became a people hostile to his uncle’s family. God’s Word calls him a righteous person, tormented by the poor decisions others made (2 Peter 2:7-8). Yet, the Bible tells us he did nothing to counteract the evil in his society.

During the holidays, buying and consuming are second nature. We want to honor our friends and family with gifts and celebrations. We want a reward after the long, hard year we’ve had. There’s nothing wrong with those thoughts or our motives.

The problem is when we become one with our materialistic culture. Just like Lot, we consume and don’t count the cost of our decisions.

Are we investing in things that will make our wallets smaller and our clothes tighter? Or are we investing in eternal things?

The Bible tells us to focus on godly things, not worldly things. Genuine relationships with others. Speaking God’s truth in a culture that doesn’t welcome truth. Standing up for biblical values. Speaking out for those marginalized in our society.

Have you counted the cost of your decisions?

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” Romans 12:2 NLT.

*Read Lot’s story in Genesis 13-14, and 19.

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Comments

Yvonne Morgan From Oklahoma At 11/29/2025 4:33:47 PM

Thanks Sarah. We need to think about the cost especially at this time of year.

Reply by: Sarah Schwerin

Thanks for reading. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season!

Katherine Pasour From North Carolina At 11/27/2025 9:17:06 AM

You've shared a powerful message, Sarah. Thank you. Lot had major decisions that affected his entire family--so do we. Wishing you a safe, happy, and blessed holiday season.