Christmas Shopping vs. Church Shopping
By: Rev. R.D. Mangold
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
We’re gathered today to recognize one of the greatest events in Christianity; the birth of Jesus Christ. All naysayers and antagonists aside, regardless of what day you believe Christ was born; He was in fact born.
There are a variety of views floating around this time of year that are there to challenge the accuracy of the Bible as it spells out for us the details of the Creator of the Universe wrapping himself in flesh to go from immortality to mortality back to immortality.
Only God Himself could accomplish such a feat…I’m here to declare not only was He born and later crucified but he rose again for my salvation and resides in my heart today. A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument!
I’m not sure where or when Christmas time and the celebration of Christ’s birth became all about giving and getting gifts but we are steeped in the tradition of yearly setting aside this time to do just that.
Yes, this season is supposed to be about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and this season brings with it a reminiscence of Christmases, as we’ve known them throughout the ages spent amongst family and friends.
Christmas is a time for bonding with one another.
Christmas is a time for reaffirming our love toward our families.
Christmas is a time for celebration and reflection.
HOWEVER…somewhere in the middle of what should be a time of serene reflection and pondering, beginning as early as October, we’re thrust into a fit of chaos that lasts until the very last “perfect Christmas Gift” is returned or exchanged. New memories are made and possibly some old ones tarnished all during what retailers have called the busiest shopping season of the year OR A.K.A. THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON.
Until the age of 25, I had spent 10 years of my life working retail. Yes, I endured 10 years of dealing with the hectic pace of Christmas Shoppers. As I look back over those years in retail I did some comparisons and found that you could categorize them in many ways but I was able to narrow them down to just a few main types.
- Comparison Shoppers
- Bargain Hunters
- Browsers and Lookers
- Window Shoppers
- Price is No Object (Had to Have it)
Each of these shoppers bears a striking resemblance to those who either are or claim to be Christians as well. Consider the following comparisons and as I make the comparisons ask yourself where you fit in today.
Comparison Shoppers
This shopper is what Sym’s (spelled S-Y-M-S) would classify as an educated consumer. This individual will take a great deal of time and research their purchase carefully. They’re typically not in a hurry because they will not be content unless they absolutely know they have settled for the very best item at the very best price.
This shopper will go from store to store and compare prices, value and service to ensure that they’re making the most educated and best-informed decision possible.
As a Christian, this individual feels as though they have all the time in the world. They’re looking for the perfect church, the perfect pastor and the perfect set of ground rules they feel they can live with before they make their mind up to finally “buy-in” to a church. They’ll spend years shopping around and comparing preaching, leadership, services, people and not until they’ve satisfied a rigid set of criterion are they willing to commit to buying something.
This type of Christian certainly has their pros; they make informed decisions and they’ll likely be very educated about their beliefs. Cons: This shopper leans toward being very indecisive. They could potentially spend so much time searching and comparing churches, beliefs and ideas that they neglect to lay the critical and foundational ground work for roots which by itself can take many years to do.
If you’re here today and you’re this type of Christian I encourage you to continue to make the best informed decisions but take great care in not toiling between two opinions that you lose out on the opportunity to build lasting and loving relationships within the body of Christ.
You need to understand that we are on a journey toward perfection; we are not perfect yet. Each church comes with a set of challenges and each church has it’s share of hypocrites but don’t let that prevent you from getting “the deal” you need to seal the salvation of your soul.
Bargain Hunters
This shopper wants to pay “Chevrolet Prices” for “Cadillac Deals”. They will often go to any lengths to get you to come down on your price. They insist you’re charging way too much for what they’re getting. Oh, they’ve done their homework and they know the price you’re charging is fair but they’re not going to be satisfied until they get the price to its absolute lowest; always claming it costs too much.
This shopper is dangerous. They’re aware of the value of the product but they’re not willing to pay the price for it. This shopper will even go as far as to demean or devalue the product they’re after to drive the price down. Sadly, they know how bad they need it or want it but just can’t bring themselves to ever just pay what it’s worth.
This shopper will go as far as to purchase things and if they see a better deal take the original purchase back and buy it somewhere else; sometimes several times over!
As a Christian, this shopper is destined for self-destruction. They’ve made up their mind there has to be a shortcut. There has to be an easier road, and lower price, a better deal somewhere. They’ll drive a hard bargain for a long time but as the years go on and they continue to try to drive the price down, like the Comparison Shopper, they’ll go from church to church looking for discounted standards, discounted truths, and discounted salvation.
They’ll never be willing to pay what they owe. They’ll never be willing to pay what it’s worth…they’re always looking for a better deal.
Browsers and Lookers
These shoppers are easy to point out but a retail professional. This shopper will spend all day content to just look. They’ll try things on, they pick things up and try things out but they have no intention of buying.
We’ve all been there right. Curiosity has us going. We step one foot onto a car lot or into a furniture store and we’re swooped down upon by some sales person who asks us if we need help and what’s our response? “No thank you, I’m just looking.” We brush the sales person away like a fly and proceed to spend the next few minutes looking at the merchandise but not buying a thing.
I feel guilty because I’ve been this kind of shopper. I’ve gotten right to the point of deal and realized that I am not going to go through with this. I felt pressured or got cold feet but nonetheless…I was just looking.
Browsers and lookers as Christians don’t last very long. They’re content to be in the church amongst the other Christians attempting to blend in with those who are serious about their purchases but they have no intention of buying into to truth.
The danger here is, yes shoppers like that can be pressured into buying but they won’t feel good about their purchase, if they buy in at all and will likely not last.
There is no to very low level of commitment from this type of Shopper Christian.
Window Shoppers
Their noses are pressed firmly against the window pane and there’s a longing in their eyes. Occasionally, you’ll observe them reaching deep into their pockets and purses counting and re-counting their money, hoping they could magically afford the prized product in the display.
They have a look of desperation in their eyes. You can tell they definitely want to buy what’s in the display but they never feel they’ll be able to measure up. They never feel as though they’ll be good enough to wear that new coat, drive that new car or live in that new home, so they’ll shuffle off never feeling they’ll be able to afford it.
This shopper as a potential Christian looks at the lifestyle and advantages of being a Christian and feels as though they’ll never be worthy. They have too much baggage and won’t be able to measure up. They too have that longing in their eyes and in their heart but sadly they shuffle off because they feel they’ll never be able to afford to live for Christ.
But Jesus said, “blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven!” Jesus is reaching out to those who are feeling less than worthy, less than adequate. He’s already paid the price you just have to enter in!
Price is No Object
One of my favorite places to get ice cream is “Cold Stone”. They have 3 sizes of ice cream desserts they’ll make you as follows…
Like it…Love it…Gotta Have it!
This shopper is the “Gotta Have it” Shopper. They’ve decided they don’t just like it, they don’t just love it, THEY GOTTA HAVE IT!
The saying goes, “if you have to ask how much it is, you can’t afford it!” is this shoppers mantra. They don’t balk at the price, they don’t bargain, barter or dicker - they too know what it’s worth and will settle for nothing less than quality.
This shopper has worked hard for their money and considers themselves to be successful. They’re confident in the purchases and want the very best that life has to offer…Price is after all, not an object!
As a Christian, this shopper is well suited for success because they’re willing to pay whatever the price. They know there’s no substitutes or shortcuts and they’re aware of how badly they need this plan of salvation. They’re not only willing to pay whatever the price but they’ll sell off the unnecessary things to ensure the right priorities are met.
This lot isn’t a proud lot as the world considers them, they just know when they have something good and they’re not willing to let it go. Their values, their morals and most importantly their salvation isn’t for sale…they’ve started out with Jesus and they’re going through.
They aren’t taking any chances with their soul’s salvation - only the best will do.
Our Heavenly Father gave the very best Heaven could offer to ensure we would spend eternity with Him. In reality, Shoppers or not, Jesus paid it all.
What we shop for is personal preference when in reality we should be buying the truth and selling it not.
So in this busy Christmas hustle and bustle, don’t forget to take the time out of your shopping schedule to make sure you’re the right kind of shopper, shopping for the right kind of salvation and once you buy the truth…DON’T SELL IT!
As preached by Pastor R.D. Mangold at Grace Apostolic Church of Clawson, MI December 24, 2006
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So really it isn’t church shopping so much as salvation shopping. One can be committed to a church but not be saved…or not be very committed to a church but be committed/in relationship to/with Jesus and be saved.
It’s like the guy I heard who said when it comes to spiritual matters this generation views it as a buffet…I’ll take what I want from this system and from that system but never really seeking truth.
Great observations cb. The buffet is really a great analogy too. You can even say about the buffet that, if we’re not careful we could bulk up on things that aren’t very good for us, the fluff, so to speak. And when it comes time to eat what’s supposed to be nutritous for us, we don’t have room left. Sort of like when I go to the buffet, I walk right by the salad “decoration” and go for the less than healthy choices. Then, some people wait so long between meals that by the time they get to the table, they’ll be willing to eat anything just to get rid of the hunger pangs. I feel a sermon brewing. Thanks again cb!
Well, in that case let me give you some more “food for thought”. I was listening to Bishop Tudor Bismark (I’m sure you’ve read about him on my blog). He was saying that if someone is hungry they will eat anything but if someone is full (here is America we would have to be pretty full - we tend to eat even when we aren’t hungry, thus the morbid obesity problems we have here), they wouldn’t even eat a filet mignon. The same is true spiritually, we only have so much capicity for the spiritual (well, some people have more capicity than others). Our pastor preached/demonstrated a great sermon on capicity. He started with a communion cup (really tiny), a pretty glass and a Big Gulp Cup (if you aren’t familiar - it’s a plastic convenience store cup; not too pretty but holds alot). He had a pitcher of water. He said many of us are little communion cups and we just keep asking God to fill us up and we alway seem empty (what is going in doesn’t last long because there isn’t any capicity). Then he said there are alot of religious people (the pretty glass cup) who just think they have it all together. Then there are people who may not look so great on the outside but they have so much capicity. He demonstrated all of this by pouring the water from the pitcher into the containers until they were over flowing…He said the Word says He will fill you to over flowing but there isn’t a thing in the world you can do with the over flow. He went on to say we must expand our capicity… Obviously, I really liked the message since I remembered so much of it.