What a bargain! The Walmartization of Church.

I'm constantly amazed at how prices always go up.  In fact, economists tell us that falling prices are a sign of a sick economy.  Yet, how is it then, that we all seem to long for prices to fall?  Indeed, Wal Mart has invested its entire business model on the premise that if they say they have lowered prices you will buy more stuff from them.  It's a stroke of genius!  Tell the people they can have what they want for little cost and they will flock to your doors. 

One would think this would be a perfect selling point for Christianity.

1. commit sin (do whatever you want)
2. admit and feel bad about sin (maybe even regret it)
3. ask for forgiveness
4. be assured of that forgiveness no matter what
5. pledge faith in the forgiver and tell others about him
6. live a life of respect and love for the one who's paid the price of your forgiveness

Yet, it would seem that even those who call themselves Christians don't believe this deal is real--that its too good to be true!  And from our human perspective it is; but in Christ, "all things are possible."  Just one of the many paradoxes of the Christian faith which people have reacted to in various ways.

One way is to see just how far God will take this forgiveness by testing its limits.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer talked about cheap grace being the effect of a Christian willfully sinning knowing that they have been forgiven for that sin, even before its been committed.  He wasn't talking about forgiveness being a bargain for the average religious consumer; "Christianity offers the best deal, so I'll go with them."  He was talking about the debasing of God's free gift when we use it, abuse it, and drag it through the garden a few times, knowing it will never wear out and using it as an excuse to sin even more.  At some point one has to wonder, is this behavior being acted out of total love and trust that Jesus will spare us from all calamity, or hatefulness and despising of the one who affected the forgiveness to the point of inflicting as much suffering on him as we can?

If its the former, that strategy is in vain because Christ died once for all sin.  He knew some would act out in that way and paid the price--even for willful sin intended to be spiteful of God--all so that there would be hope for all.

The problem is (well, one of them, anyway), in today's American society, you owe nothing to nobody, including love and respect.  Marriages are considered successful if they last a few years.  Kids think its okay to be vulgar and use profanity in public. Teachers are expected to be subservient to students whose parents pay their salary instead of delivering education and stimulate creativity.  Even debts are forgiven, written off, and bailed out because everyone is entitled to a happy, easy life with no sacrifice.  "I can do for myself and if I can't, its because someone has put something in my way or because I'm not being given my share."  Everything is a consumable--a commodity--including relationships.

On the other end of the spectrum, for those who are successful, they owe that success to nobody but themselves, the government sure didn't help them, the media labels them as evil, greedy, 10 percent-ers (or worse--Republicans!) and the ever-increasing (nearly half) of the population that pays no taxes wants them to pay even more; saying its only fair.  And so fist clenches dollar even tighter.

This has had a dire effect on the congregations that make up what we call the church.  People expect success, comfort, happiness, contentment, peace, joy, love, fun, entertainment and enlightenment.  So far, so good.  All those things might come from being part of a church.  They also want all these things in the setting of a beautiful, up-to-date, clean, inspiring architecturally appropriate building.  And, yes, there are lots of those available and in existence.  And they want it all for little or no cost.

Well, that's a deal buster.

The fact is, all those things come at a very great cost. 

Many see the cross and don't calculate the cost.  Putting a bloody Jesus on the cross might help, but its still just a symbol to many.  Its a nice piece of art that conveys what we say we believe the Bible portrays in its pages.  But do we get how much it cost?  The sins of the world being inflicted upon one man with the willpower and strength that could only come from him being God himself.  And by that cost he paid for every soul that will ever live.  He gave everyone a pass to eternal life if they would only receive it from him as his gift.  How can this be more costly?  How can it be more personal? 

What's that worth to the one who was redeemed?

Evidently, not very much based upon the levels of giving by Christians to their churches over the last decade.  Every church is experiencing a decline in the dollars given to ministry while gifts to secular causes and non-profits have hit all-time highs.  I think the reasons for this donation shift are many; a lack of trust, a lack of faith, a lack of serving, a lack of action.  But for many, it boils down to the fact that we want it all, but we don't want to pay for any of it--let someone else pay.  We only give to something when we want to affect a change that will not happen without our help; without our stepping in to be the savior.

The world doesn't need another savior any more than it needs another Walmart.  In fact, the Church doesn't need your money to preach the Gospel.  But our Lord does want your love and respect.  He wants you to acknowledge your gift of life in front of others.  He does want you to demonstrate your devotion to him and your trust in him above all others and above all other organizations.  How you show him that respect and love is up to you.

So, how do show love and respect to others?  Your children?  Your grandchildren?  Your employees?  I'm sure in all these you thought in terms of generosity--taking care of them.  Whether its through caring conversation, financial means or gifts or expressions of remembrance (flowers, cards, favors), you know how to love and respect others, so why not start there?  Think of God as one of your family, your friend, a co-worker.  Give him the same attention you give these others and try to grow that relationship by spending more time with him as as you do I'm sure you will also show him more love and respect in many different ways.  And you won't do it with one eye on whether or not its a good bargain.