I Don’t Want Your Stupid Card!!! June 27, 2005

That’s it–I have had it…I have to vent yet again. Lucretia and I went shopping this past weekend. Lee McDee hooked me up with a gift card from a bookstore here in town…which shall remain nameless. Anyway, I found the book I wanted…and ‘Cretia found a book as well–then IT happened.

The lady behind the counter rang me up & then asked the question that sends chills up my spine, “Do you have one of our discount cards sir?” I smiled and politely replied, “No ma’am.” She then began her sales pitch, explaining to me all of the money I could save right then AND in the future if I would become a member of their card carrying club. Once again I declined…but she would not be denied. She kept on until I finally handed her some bills for the purchase…I think she got the hint…I didn’t want the stupid card.

Forgive me for sounding so harsh…but I am a little disgusted with the card fever that is sweeping the nation. Bookstores have cards, grocery stores have cards, drug stores have cards…and if they don’t have cards they have those little things you put on your keychain. Some of you have them on your keychain right now…trust me, it really looks ridiculous when you take your keys out and then search among the discount thingys for your keys!!!

Some may wonder, “Hey P, why are you so against the cards?” One main reason, if the store can offer a discount–then give it to everyone. Don’t make me sign on a dotted line so you can get my personal information and then sell it to mail companies and telemarketers. Truth be known…I try my best to shop at places that you don’t have to have a card for the discount.

Some of you are wondering, “What in the world does this have to do with the church, God, leadership, etc.?” Glad you asked…here we go.

The reason I think this is so frustrating for me is because I see signs of this in Christian marketing. Please do not misunderstand me…I am not against Christians marketing their products. I frequently purchase books, CD’s, DVD’s, and a host of other things as well.

The thing that always seems to bother me is when a person takes an angle like, “Buy this book and it will unlock the secrets of Scripture.” Or, “In this message series are the five secrets to a successful marriage.” (The underlying theme here is, “If you do not purchase this series then your marriage is going to crash.”)

And I see this all the time…and it reminds me of people at these stores saying, “Here is my card–you need my card–it will provide you with tremendous discounts.” And then I see a dude on television selling me the secrets of wisdom…and it’s always funny that the secrets have something to do with me “sowing a seed” into someone’s ministry. Let me make you a promise…if God does decide to reveal “secrets” He has never revealed before–I REALLY do not believe He will reveal them to a televangelist with BAD HAIR! (But that’s just my opinion!)

We’ve all see this take place. Do you remember a few years ago when The Prayer of Jabez came out? OH MY GOSH!!! All of a sudden it was like the Christian mantra. People were amazed that for thousands of years this little prayer had been tucked away in obscurity in the OT just waiting to be discovered. All of a sudden Christians everywhere began to say, “Have you got The Prayer of Jabez card?”

Don’t get me wrong–there was some great wisdom in that book–but I think we all went a bit overboard, you know…Prayer of Jabez journals, pencils, stickers, underwear…you get the picture.

As followers of Jesus I think we would all be much more effective if we would stop searching for the “secrets” that people try to sell us…I think we could do a much better job if we would quit hopping from card to card and all begin to take up the basic command that Jesus has for all of us, “Follow me.” We do not grow because we have purchased all of these secrets from the people on television…but because we daily hang out with Jesus and He shapes us all along the way.

Once again, and let me be very clear here, I am not against purchasing Christian products–but I am very cautious when people begin to say that they have a HUGE secret from God, that it will change your life…that it will increase your finances…and ALL you have to do is write in…and send a HUGE check…and this key to success will be sent so you can unlock your potential.

Just my thoughts…what are yours? E-mail me