Quartermania

As I compose this, I’ve experienced my first Quartermania. As one of a half dozen guys in a setting filled with women, and especially being an introvert, I’m going to need significant time to recover!

If you’ve never experienced a Quartermania setting, let me lay it out for you. You buy paddles, $3 each or 5 for $10. An item, whether donated or not, comes up and, if you want to play, you throw in the designated number of quarters per paddle. Then, a number is drawn and if it matches the number on the paddle, you win the item. For example, a wreath is up at two quarters per paddle. Number 12 is drawn. No one is playing the number 12 paddle. Number 157 is drawn. Stella has played that paddled (paid 2 quarters) and wins the wreath.

Most of the items up for grabs, I’d describe as feminine in nature. You know nail treatments, Tupperware, hand lotion, knick-knacks, etc. For the most part, very few of the items gained my attention. It’s not that I don’t appreciate my wife’s hands being soft, but she is more than capable of picking her own hand lotion. (I fall in the category of I only use hand lotion in the dead of winter when my cuticles crack.)

What really grabbed my attention was the various reactions of people before the winning number was drawn. I saw some feigned support for the winner. I saw some concern expressed regarding the randomness of the number draw. I heard some concern expressed about whether the paddle was paid for and being held in the air before the number was drawn. But, what I heard the most was a genuine desire for the item. You know, like playing the lotto and hoping you win.

Patrick opened my eyes to how dangerous it is to play the lotto. When you play the lotto and are hoping with all your might that you win, it bridges on idol worship. I wouldn’t go as far as describing Quartermania as idol worship, but I can see the concern.

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” - 1 Corinthians 10:14 ESV

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” - Colossians 3:5-6

“You shall have no other gods before me.” - Exodus 20:3

My experience was unique in that, for the most part, I wasn’t interested in most of the items and could sit back and observe. I know, from the depth of my heart, that no one consciously diverted their attention away from God and toward coveting these items, but I can see how it would be so easy to do. It made me stop and consider my reaction to seeing a new gadget or tool or anything else I’ve ever wanted in my life.

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” - Matthew 22:37-40