Believers View on Multi- Level Marketing

ON THE CURRENT NUMEROUS ONLINE FRAUDULENT MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING( A Believers View)

The Bible does not address multi-level marketing (MLM) specifically, but it does give some general principles that are applicable.

1.Take time to thoroughly research the company and pray about the opportunity.

Before becoming involved in any multi-level marketing business, investigate the company in detail. Review the start-up costs, ask to see the company’s income disclosure statement, ask questions, and understand the job description, expenses, and responsibilities.

Ask someone you trust for wise counsel (Proverbs 12:15). Also, consider how the Bible’s command to “not be yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14) might apply.

The Bible says you can know a tree by its fruit. While this principle specifically concerns being able to identify false teachers (Matthew 12:33), its application extends beyond that. According to a Federal Trade Commission report, only 1 percent of multi-level marketing participants earn a profit. Realistic expectations are a must.

Investigate whether the multi-level marketing company is legitimate or if it is a pyramid scheme. If the money you earn is based on your sales, the company may be a legitimate business. If your earnings are based on the number of people you recruit and your sales to them, the company may be a pyramid scheme, which is illegal. Christians are not to participate in illegal ventures.

Also, investigate if the products for sale by the multi-level marketing are safe and reasonably priced. Make sure the company’s claims have truthful evidence to back them up. If the company is promising miracle products or quick cures, it should be avoided.

2.Check your motivation

Some multi-level marketing companies promise high income and rewards for little effort or money. Your motivation should be more than simply making money (Hebrews 13:5–6). Proverbs warns about the desire to make quick money (Proverbs 12:11). While employers should reasonably compensate for labor (Luke 10:7), our primary focus should not be on what we receive. As Christians, our life focus on giving should also be reflected in our chosen occupation in which we seek to give to others through our work.

3.Pursue your giftedness and talents

Both spiritually and physically, God gifts us with abilities. He also intends for us to use all of our abilities on behalf of others, not solely for our own gain (Acts 20:35). We are also told to “consider others better than [ourselves]” (Philippians 2:3). If you enjoy sales, and the responsibilities of the job fit within your skill set, then work on developing your skills and use them for God’s glory, whether that be through a traditional business model, self-employment, or through multi-level marketing.

4.Don’t lose your friends

When business and friendship collide, it is often a sign of trouble ahead. Remember that friendships are more important than making that extra sale. Unless your friends are also successful in the same business, they probably don’t want to hear about your business each time you meet. If a friend says “no” to your sales pitch, respect that. As with any business or financial venture, the Christian’s responsibility is to obey the Lord’s command that we love one another (John 13:34) and Paul’s admonition to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” (Philippians 2:3).

5.You can say “no”

Not everyone is skilled as a salesperson and social media expert, nor do they desire to be. Don’t be pressured to join a business that you aren’t skilled in or don’t want to participate in.

There is nothing illegal about most multi-level marketing companies, but they are not a good fit for everyone. Pray and ask God for wisdom before you launch into a new opportunity. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

TOP 5 BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES AND VERSES ON PROSPERITY

1. Be Content With What You Have – 1 Timothy 6:6-8 "But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." Are you pursuing more stuff?  Are you content now?
2. The Love of Money = Roots Of All Kinds of Evil – 1 Timothy 6:9-10 "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." Do you love money?  Are you tempted for more?  What consumes your thoughts & wants?
3. Loving & Trusting In Wealth = Impossible to Enter Into God’s Kingdom – Mark 10:17-31 "And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, 'How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!'"  Do you see wealth as dangerous or desirable?
4. Store Up Treasures in Heaven – Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  What do you treasure and value?  How would you respond if you lost all your possessions?
5. Riches Never Satisfy – Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his ey

-Budget & Be Responsible. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ (Luke 14:28-30)

-Work Hard To Live. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. …10For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. (2 Thessalonians 3:6,10-12)

Anyone considering MLMs needs to know the facts about their chances of actually realizing a profit for their time/effort and consider the truthfulness of MLM and Network marketing claims and the ethical concerns with MLM methodology and business practices.  Christians need to consider the reputation of the companies they associate with and consider the implications and effects such participation may have on their Christian witness among the friends they solicit and in their community.

                                               REFERENCES

1. The Midas Touch(Kenneth E. Hagin)
2. Biblical Prosperity(Dag Heward Mills & Gordon Lindsay)
3. Business for the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem