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Subject: May ICG
Ministers sell Tupperware?
This subject comes up from time to time
and affects both the ministry and the brethren. I do not believe
this subject is covered specifically in either our church doctrine or
the Field Church Guidelines but I do believe that spiritual logic would
drive us to the conclusions I express here.
Yes, I believe that a minister of the ICG may sell Tupperware, Amway
products or any other such product as long as he does not involve the
church in any way, shape or form. This would emphatically mean
that he could not, and should not attempt to sell these products or
offer sales presentations to any in the church. He could not use
his position, as minister to influence or otherwise put members on the
spot to buy his products. The point is, just how could he attempt
to sell to the congregation and not have this seen as using undue
influence? He could not. It would be a potential stumbling
block for any number of brethren.
Now, should a minister be in such a business and someone in the
congregation want to purchase from his product line, this would be quite
appropriate, but the member needs to be the one seeking out the
minister.
This conclusion comes to us from the phrase in the qualifications of a
bishop (minister) not to be given to filthy lucre. Notice...
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant,
sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given
to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a
brawler, not covetous. –1 Timothy 3:2-3
Notice the commentary now:
1 Timothy 3:3
He must not be greedy of filthy lucre - mee (NT:3361) aischrokerdee
(NT:146), not desirous of base gain; not using base and unjustifiable
methods to raise and increase his revenues; not trading or trafficking;
for what would be honourable in a secular character, would be base and
dishonourable in a bishop. ~from Adam Clarke's
Titus 1:7
Not given to filthy lucre - not making the Gospel a means of gain (cf. Genesis
14:23) ~from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Commentary
It would be unjustifiable for a minister
to be in that position of minister and selling and trading among the
brethren. The same would hold true for local elders, deacons and
deaconesses.
This also can be and has been a stumbling block among the brethren where
we have one member attempting to conduct such businesses among the
brethren. No member would wish to be put on the spot or feel
somehow obligated to do business with or buy the products of another in
the church. I don't feel it would be appropriate for a member of
the church to invite others in the church to his or her place for the
purpose of doing product demonstrations, such as a Tupperware party.
I say this regardless of the potential or known quality and/or benefit
of the product in question. There are many fine and wonderful
products sold out of the home. It just would be awkward and
generally inappropriate for members of the church to take advantage of
that position of membership and attempt to sell products to the
congregation.
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