LEARNING FROM THE CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD
By Ken Blue
Today, Joyce and I took a stroll a few blocks down the street to the Wall-Mart Super Store. I rode my motorized wheel chair and Joyce “strolled” behind. Boy was I tired when we got there!
However, my purpose is not to write about our walkabout, but to share with you my first impression upon entering the store. The “children of this world” were preparing for a special day. Now, you may not agree with me on special days or promotions, and that is fine. But, as I looked around I was reminded of a Bible verse that I believe might be relevant here. “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8.
Upon entering the store, everywhere you looked you were struck with the fact that a special day was approaching, and they were insuring that the customer did not miss it. Heart-shaped balloons were everywhere. Boxes of candy, cookies, and flowers graced the end of each aisle. Special Valentine cards were within easy access. They were trying to appeal to the customer’s interest, and they were confident that the customer would also browse the rest of the store. Of course Wall-Mart is trying to “sell” their commodities. The sad reality is that many churches can’t “give” theirs away.
[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]For the life of me, I can’t understand pastors who refuse to meet the needs of people in order to get them in the door.[/perfectpullquote]
For the life of me, I can’t understand pastors who refuse to accommodate, please, serve, appeal, help, assist, comfort, and meet the needs of people in order to get them in the door. If we can get them in the door, perhaps we can convince them to accept the “free gift” we have for them.
I’m aware that it is none of my businesses what you do. This is just my observation. If you are doing nothing and it works for you, keep doing nothing. But, for those who think they could learn something from the “children of this world,” we submit this Wall-Mart example.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.