Today was an interesting experience in my school's chapel service. They had a man there who started a company called Project 7. At first glance the company and business model seemed really great. He was a Christian selling goods that consumers already buy and using the profit to help feed families or give a village clean water. There is more to it than that, but you can follow the link to see for yourself. He said his whole goal of his business was for it to be his ministry. That ministry can be in the workplace, not just in church. He is right. He said all these things about giving food, water, and schooling. All good things. But there was never once a mention of sharing the gospel.
He was even asked if his work was founded on the Gospel and his response was something to the effect of "I don't think we need to give out tracts before every cup of water." In the most literal instance I guess he is right. I like what my friend Taylor tweeted after chapel, "Social work must be grounded in the redeeming Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not coffee."
I don't want to sound like I am completely bashing the man and his business. I think his heart is in the right place. However, I think there is a lot of confusion about teaching, preaching, and sharing the Gospel message. Soul saving news should not be hidden behind a bottle of water or a cup of coffee. How much bigger of an impact would companies like Toms and Project 7 have if they truly used their business to proclaim the Gospel everywhere? I am terrible about seizing opportunities to share this news, but I am constantly reminded that it should always be at the tip of my tongue. Just like so many people I try to replace teaching the Gospel with good deeds. My good deeds couldn't save me, so why would they be able to save someone else?
I think Paul in his second letter to Timothy said it best. "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5
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