I recently came across a blog where this person was ranting and raving about how all network marketing businesses are scams. He cites specific companies and ridicules distributors for falling for the sales talk. Apparently, he's been to many of these meetings for different companies - life insurance, mutual funds, cosmetics, health supplements, etc. Every time he attends, he finds new reasons to criticize them.
First of all, if this complainer spent more time actually pursuing one of the businesses whose schemes he criticizes, rather than maintaining his blog, maybe he'd make some money. I'm not necessarily defending network marketing - but come on, man - get a life.
Second, although this complainer may be right in that a lot of people get into marketing businesses but do not succeed, there's a huge elephant in the room that he's not seeing. Here's the problem: there are actually also lots of people who are making money and there are lots of people that are finding success in these enterprises. This means that the claims of these companies have some truth. And the ones who succeed are usually the ones who have stuck with it for a while. Typically the ones who rant against these companies are those who dreamed that they'll get rich quick and who did not count the costs before diving in. They got lured in by all the talk of the top people about all the money that can be made. A few thousand dollars later, if these would-be entrepreneurs have not succeeded, they find someone to blame. And in the internet age, their rants are placed on the same level of credibility as the president of the USA, which is unfortunate. The more democratized our communications tools are, the harder it is to find credible sources of truth.
What does this have to do with Christianity? Just like a network marketing scheme, those who have been in the church for a while are always talking about how great the Christian life is. And those that hear about it are impressed and they dive in. Most of the time, it's because evangelicals have focused so much on the feel good aspects of faith and the assurance of eternity. To be sure, that is the gospel...but not all of it. Few believers ever mention that what they are calling you to when they invite you into the Kingdom life is a lifestyle of discipleship - following Christ and taking up His cross. It was Jesus Himself who said that we should count the costs before deciding to follow Him. So people dive in and become 'born again'. And they enjoy some excitement at the beginning because it's a new endeavor. They meet new people, seem to get all their prayers answered and learn new information to criticize other faiths. But they refuse to go to 'training' to build up their conviction or they have no resolve to practice the disciplines required to be successful in their Christian walk. They don't have time to invest in classes about scripture or ministry and rarely want to make sacrifices for the sake of the community.
Second, although this complainer may be right in that a lot of people get into marketing businesses but do not succeed, there's a huge elephant in the room that he's not seeing. Here's the problem: there are actually also lots of people who are making money and there are lots of people that are finding success in these enterprises. This means that the claims of these companies have some truth. And the ones who succeed are usually the ones who have stuck with it for a while. Typically the ones who rant against these companies are those who dreamed that they'll get rich quick and who did not count the costs before diving in. They got lured in by all the talk of the top people about all the money that can be made. A few thousand dollars later, if these would-be entrepreneurs have not succeeded, they find someone to blame. And in the internet age, their rants are placed on the same level of credibility as the president of the USA, which is unfortunate. The more democratized our communications tools are, the harder it is to find credible sources of truth.
What does this have to do with Christianity? Just like a network marketing scheme, those who have been in the church for a while are always talking about how great the Christian life is. And those that hear about it are impressed and they dive in. Most of the time, it's because evangelicals have focused so much on the feel good aspects of faith and the assurance of eternity. To be sure, that is the gospel...but not all of it. Few believers ever mention that what they are calling you to when they invite you into the Kingdom life is a lifestyle of discipleship - following Christ and taking up His cross. It was Jesus Himself who said that we should count the costs before deciding to follow Him. So people dive in and become 'born again'. And they enjoy some excitement at the beginning because it's a new endeavor. They meet new people, seem to get all their prayers answered and learn new information to criticize other faiths. But they refuse to go to 'training' to build up their conviction or they have no resolve to practice the disciplines required to be successful in their Christian walk. They don't have time to invest in classes about scripture or ministry and rarely want to make sacrifices for the sake of the community.
So when the storms come and the Christian life isn't exactly how they imagined it to be according to their mentor's promises, they falter. Often when their lives run into turbulence, they figure it's the church's fault...so the church, Jesus, His followers must be all be part of a scam. What they fail to notice is that there are lots of people who "succeed" in the Christian walk - not monetarily like in a business but in terms of spiritual growth. There are actually people who have joy and peace and are filled with scripture and goodness because they have endured a life of faith by following the Christian disciplines.
I have learned to be humble about the business situation - realizing that I do not have all the answers. There was a time when I also criticized everyone who was involved in a network marketing business - until I met some real life people who are actually making significant earnings from their respective businesses without cheating. How can I claim foul on a business and call it a scam, when there are so many ordinary men and women who have found success in it by simply following the company's recommendations? If I complain, I am merely telling the whole world that I failed in the business and I need to blame somebody. Why should I blame those who are successful? All they did was follow the plan!
Doesn't that sound just like a person who blames God and the church when they are going through suffering? "God promised me he would provide all my needs," they cry out. "So how come I lost my job?" "God is a phony...and I'll create a website about it so more people can see that this whole spiritual life is a scam."
So my advice to people pursuing their own businesses - ignore your detractors, follow your dreams but do it with integrity. And my advice to believers who have critics about your faith - pray for them....or just ignore them - rants are a dime a dozen, specially on the web.
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