I remember thirty + years ago, being in a grocery store and having a really friendly stranger strike up a conversation with me. My family would tell you the only thing funny about that is that it wasn’t me intiating the conversation! I thought the exchange was nice. Wow, that was a very caring, genuinely nice guy. We talked about family, church and other topics of interest. We swapped business cards and I left feeling good about making a new friend. The next week I got a call inviting me to a “presentation.” I asked a presentation about what? He wouldn’t tell me because “I just had to see it.” It dawned on me that nice guy wasn’t really being that nice, he wanted to sign me up! That was my first introduction to Amway Sales people. Over the years following I’ve been approached by many, many more people with the best opportunity ever to make money, all selling some product or service but the real key to wealth is “building your business.” By that they mean enlisting as many people under you as you can get and you will make money off them as well.

In many ways, I’ve been in a unique role most my life having the opportunity to help and serve people. My dad advised me when I went into the ministry, “Never get in a position where you are trying to sell something to the people you serve.” I’ve heeded that advise. I’ve never wanted to be in a position no matter “How great this product is,” to feel like I’m selling my friends something. If you run a business, having friends as clients is one thing but when the entire business model is based on “needing” your friends or the business sinks, you put yourself in a place to alienate many of your friends.

So, for me personally, when I see you, I want to see a friend not a potential dollar sign. On the reverse side, when I see you I want to see a friend, not feel like I’m a potential dollar sign. I’ve noticed Christians and the church network seem to be easy targets for these type ventures. For what it is worth, that is my thoughts and my approach to the subject of multi-level business ventures. This blog is just for me, what you choose is up to you but you may want to consider some of the research found here http://www.mlm-thetruth.com/.

blessings,

Scott