by Ken Thomas
"We honor competitor's coupons!" "We will be any advertised price by 10%!" The business world is highly competitive. We have learned to read the fine print which explains why the bargain is no real bargain, and why the dealer can make money selling "below cost".
Sometimes we let this cutthroat atmosphere affect the church. In order to attract a crowd we offer to outdo the "other guys". We will never outdo the preacher who sat on the church roof to eat his lunch to celebrate a big crowd, nor the churches who gave away bicycles to bus riders.
But neither should we compromise truth to win a convert. We must teach the truth in wisdom and love, but never try to change the message. The church is not a profit-making group or social club. It is God's family, bought by Jesus' blood. It is not for sale to bargain hunters. The truth will stand when the world is burning, and it is the only way to freedom from sin. Some people do not want bargain basement religion. Let's give them what they need - the gospel of Jesus - so they can be saved...