The Omnibus

Issue date: 5/6/04 Section: The Forum

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The term "Christian" is used with abandon these days. People have used it to describe a culture, to address denominations on all ends of the scale, as well as to describe church going, God-believing people. Now, the term is also being slapped onto products and businesses. We have Christian books, Christian movies, Christian clothing, Christian jewelryand businesses that are reputed to be owned by Christians. I have no problem with a business owner openly confessing their faith, or companies selling ceramic mugs with Bible verses, and stationary with Christian quotes. However, our Christian circles are being misled into believing that being "Christian" is synonymous with being "biblical" or "godly."

In the news recently, it was reported that a supposedly "Christian" couple was charged with five million dollars in fraud. They advertised their "Christian" company in popular Christian magazines, tricking people to invest in their product-rare gold coins. Unfortunately, by tacking the term "Christian" onto their business, many people automatically trusted in the authenticity of the company and product. Now, many must pay heavily financially for their misguided choices.

I do not wish to imply that because of their fraud, the couple was not Christian. Even Christians make gigantic mistakes, and only God can tell the status of their hearts. However, it is a good example of how "Christianity" is being used as a marketing tool by many, and cannot always be trusted.

One of the hardest situations that true Christians are dealing with today is undoing the negative assumptions often tied to our name. Many do not associate the word "Christian" with Bible believers and those who have a personal relationship with God. Instead many associate hypocrisy, insecurity, narrow-mindedness and religious scam with Christianity. I do not find this assumption as disturbing as the reality that they are often correct.

One important step for Christians in looking at this situation is coming to the realization that because something is called "Christian" or has the word "Christian" on its label or in its advertisement, does not make it Christian. It does not make it Biblical, nor godly. Not only can we be misled by others, but we can deceive ourselves as well. As a Christian business owner, just because you proclaim your "Christianity" before others, it doesn't make you anymore Christian. It may make you feel righteous, and give you 'religious' warm fuzzies; however, if you do not have the actions-the honest business dealings, the godly attitude, the Biblically sound product-then you are only a whitewashed tomb. The Bible, in the book of James, talks about the futility of faith without works. It is like a car without an engine-looks great on the outside, but is not going to get us anywhere.

So before you place an investment in a "Christian" business, buy from a company just because it is "Christian," or place God's name on your own business, examine your motives. Is there anything beyond the title? Do not sell God short.

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