79 - Austin – “Is it ok for Christians to be in network marketing companies?”
“This message was to Austin and a few other young people, who while following my ministry, felt the pull to join a Network Marketing (MLM) company called Isagenix. After inquiring about my joining them, I began sharing with them from my own experience, and the Bible, the dangerous traps and deceptions not quickly seen on the recruiting side of Network Marketing.”
The Mammon Trap: Discerning God's Path in a Materialistic World
The spirit of the world whispers a seductive promise: "Just a little more, and you'll be happy." A little more money, a nicer car, a bigger house – these are the carrots dangled before us, promising fulfillment and peace. But as Christians, we must be wary of this allure, for it can lead us down a path away from God and toward the worship of Mammon.
Network marketing, with its promises of financial freedom and a better life, can be a particularly subtle snare as I was teaching Austin in today’s recording. It often cloaks itself in Christian language, using terms like "helping others" and "building relationships" to mask its underlying focus on profit. But Jesus warned us, that those who love money, justify themselves (Luke 16:15). He also said, "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money" (Matthew 6:24).
The danger lies in the gradual shift of our focus. We may start with good intentions, but the constant pursuit of "just a little more" can slowly erode our devotion to God. The spirit of Mammon, as described in Luke 16, whispers that earthly possessions are the key to happiness, while God's word tells us that true riches are found in Christ. "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV84).
Instead of chasing worldly success, we are called to seek God's wisdom in all our financial decisions. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This means acknowledging God in every area of our lives, including our careers and finances, and seeking His guidance before making any major decisions.
True contentment, as Paul describes in 1 Timothy 6:6, is found in godliness with contentment. It's not about how much we have, but about our relationship with God. When we prioritize our relationship with Him, we find a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that cannot be bought with any amount of money. Let us not be deceived by the empty promises of the world, but instead ask for the faith which enables us to fix our eyes on the true riches found in Christ.
