Where does all your hard-earned money go? Did you know that in the Jewish community $1 changes hands 17 times before leaving that community? In most Christian business, the dollar leaves during that one transaction. Trying to alter that behavior pattern is both practical and simple. Take a few basic needs of your church or home and check the Internet for the options. For example, almost all churches regularly need communion cup fillers or disposable communion cups with wafers. If you have a communion service at all you will, so look for a Christian company who make them or sell them. On the internet that's a 5 minute exercise.
Suddenly, with nearly extra zero time or money invested, you are sowing into a Believer's industry, as you would want others to sew into yours. It comes down to being aware, and being willing. We focus on "Buy American", and we should, but we owe just as much allegiance to the Christian entrepreneur.
God's Money, Not Mine
People say that buying from a Christian business is more expensive, and in a time when budgets are tight, we all want to make sure we invest God's money carefully, so we want to draw a line somewhere if it is a higher cost every time. I checked it out myself to discover if what I'm proposing is great in theory, but not realistic. I chose a few products to see what options were available. When I checked on communion cups & wafers, as you can imagine, they were everywhere on the internet. Just like anything else on the web you should be careful to locate exactly what you are looking for then read the little print at the bottom. Some cups are packed 500 to a box, some are 1,000; there are even some that have little embossed crosses.
Buying in the Christian Community
Things are tough economically for most right now so, we have all the more reason to better become each other's supporters as a community. Let's face it, we could all stand some backing from other Christians who believe in seeing one another do well. 3 John 1:2 says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." If decisions were more often made to support Godly businesses, it would actually help bring about John's statement. It just isn't practical for every purchase, but I'll give you an example. We fill up about 1,500 grape juice shots for a typical communion service; do you know what works perfect for doing that? Those squirt bottles like football players use. We could buy them at the sporting goods store, but we found them under "communion cup fillers" at an online Christian business. Honestly we didn't care that much where we bought them, so given the option, we invested in a Christian business online. I'm pretty sure Sports Authority didn't miss our $50 but an upstart store online sure appreciated it. The same is true for many other things we use all the time, and our members as well. Why would we choose to buy those items elsewhere? God doesn't micro-manage, but He does care that we make the effort I think. Trust God with the big stuff, but it is okay once in a while to sweat some of the small stuff.
Suddenly, with nearly extra zero time or money invested, you are sowing into a Believer's industry, as you would want others to sew into yours. It comes down to being aware, and being willing. We focus on "Buy American", and we should, but we owe just as much allegiance to the Christian entrepreneur.
God's Money, Not Mine
People say that buying from a Christian business is more expensive, and in a time when budgets are tight, we all want to make sure we invest God's money carefully, so we want to draw a line somewhere if it is a higher cost every time. I checked it out myself to discover if what I'm proposing is great in theory, but not realistic. I chose a few products to see what options were available. When I checked on communion cups & wafers, as you can imagine, they were everywhere on the internet. Just like anything else on the web you should be careful to locate exactly what you are looking for then read the little print at the bottom. Some cups are packed 500 to a box, some are 1,000; there are even some that have little embossed crosses.
Buying in the Christian Community
Things are tough economically for most right now so, we have all the more reason to better become each other's supporters as a community. Let's face it, we could all stand some backing from other Christians who believe in seeing one another do well. 3 John 1:2 says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." If decisions were more often made to support Godly businesses, it would actually help bring about John's statement. It just isn't practical for every purchase, but I'll give you an example. We fill up about 1,500 grape juice shots for a typical communion service; do you know what works perfect for doing that? Those squirt bottles like football players use. We could buy them at the sporting goods store, but we found them under "communion cup fillers" at an online Christian business. Honestly we didn't care that much where we bought them, so given the option, we invested in a Christian business online. I'm pretty sure Sports Authority didn't miss our $50 but an upstart store online sure appreciated it. The same is true for many other things we use all the time, and our members as well. Why would we choose to buy those items elsewhere? God doesn't micro-manage, but He does care that we make the effort I think. Trust God with the big stuff, but it is okay once in a while to sweat some of the small stuff.
About the Author:
You'll find the same price, higher prices, and lower prices from online Christian retailers versus Amazon. Other items like Bibles, or cup fillers showed similar results. What this tells me is you can change the church budget, or the communion trays, or the ushers with one phone call. Go easy on the ushers; you'd be amazed how much of a mess a dropped tray makes. That's my opinion, and I'm usually right. Blessings!
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