So you visit a new church and someone with a very bright smile and a big warm handshake welcomes you. That’s to be expected right? In fact you might encounter several similarly friendly folk inside a church right? Well, you should though often you can sadly walk in and out of some fellowships and never hear a word except from those that have “Greeting” as their ministry.
Anyway let’s stay on topic and save that little observation for another day and another rant. So say one of these sweet people invites you to a party. Perhaps asks for your e-mail or phone number, wants you to come over for tea and dessert or insists on going to lunch sometime like right after service. Chances are you may have just encountered a C.M.L.M. A in the in the World you may ask? A Christian Multi Level Marketer, a C.M.L.M. for short.
The multi level marketing craze all started in the 1950’s. Its precursor being the “franchise”, where one could buy their own branch of an already established business. Some say this goes back to Ray Kroc and his start up of McDonalds. Multi Level Marketing to my estimation really began when nutritional, cosmetic and cleaning products companies started to proliferate door to door. Now let’s get it said up front Franchising and Multi Level Marketing are legal and legitimate businesses. My issue here is when they claim connection to and appear in force inside the Church of Jesus Christ.
Now keep in mind M.L.M.’s account for barely 1% of total retail sales in the U.S. Whereas about 50% of retail sales in the U.S. are attributed to franchises. So hats off to Mr. Kroc! Often you will hear a M.L.M. rep refer to M.L.M. as your greatest opportunity to start your own business and their particular company as the best since white bread, toilet paper and the coffee grinder. They are in reality giving you access to a slight sliver of the pie and will undoubtedly stand to profit personally from adding you to the fold and their personal “downline”. So buyer beware.
It might serve us well to remember a bit of scripture, namely Matthew 21:12 -13, Mark 11: 15 – 17. Luke 19: 45 – 46 and on. Here is a quick look at Mark 11:15-17:
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’[a]? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’]”
From this we might assume that Jesus did not stand for people selling anything in His Father’s House. That’s what I believe but you know some folks might argue.Same folks that like to wait on the hurricane to hit before dashing for the in lands. The type that might say; “I never sell in the church I just meet prospects”. Well that I contend is selling. Indeed this is what one gentleman told me after inviting me to a meeting about a “business opportunity”. I never went and within a couple of years this gentleman’s family was in shambles and that church was as well. Now I understand this is just a personal experience. Anecdotal evidence at best but I can multiply the number of incidence many times. How about you? Anyone have a “Witness”?
Over the years I have personally seen two churches crash and burn due in large part to M.L.M. inside those fellowships. I have seen dozens of friendships damaged, lost or turned to bitter hate amongst the “brethren”. I have also seen brothers and sisters in decent financial shape nearly ruined and others who were close to ruin pushed over the edge. In fact estimates place the number of those that succeed or end with a net profit as low as under 1% and as high a 30% overall. The vast majority earning well less than $100 dollars a month and averaging less than $2.00 an hour. Individual claims will vary for various particular groups but remember, M.L. M. gives you access to just 1% of all sales so consider the probabilities. Most that make money make it on their downlines, those they sign up and take a percentage of sales including their purchase of “inventory”.
It might be making you money, it might help you make friends and it might be a source of hope and excitement. Sadly, statistically when the excitement fades you might find the hope was just like the type promised in 2008. In other words FALSE!
My advice is if one of those sweet smiling C.M.L.M.’s approaches you perhaps you might ask the Head Pastor what the churches policy is on M.L.M. If it turns out that person is his wife, brother, sister or best buddy well there may be a problem getting along if you do not go to “the party”. All I can tell you is Jesus’ might not approve. We would all do well to consult Him before we join the C.M.L.M flock! Here are a few links for your personal consideration. Free of Charge!!!
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2011-02-07-multilevelmarketing03_CV_N.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi_level_marketing
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