The Christian Discount: Is It Worth It?

By Stuart McDonald December 2, 2009 8:55 am

Christians are, generally, horrible to do business with. Why? We believe we’re entitled to more for less. We think we have some kind of obligation to get  “the hook up” because the person or company we’re doing business with is our “brother or sister in Christ.” What foolishness is that?

Are you telling me, because we hold similar beliefs, I should give you a lower price for the services or goods I’m providing to the general population? SoI should charge “extra to those who may disagree with my point of view? What kind of sense does that make? Would we ask for a discount based upon our political affiliation? “Yeah, fellow Democrat, hook a Democrat up!” Or perhaps because we’re both left-handed? Or we have the same views on abortion?

The Christians discount is almost an unspoken rule. You’re a Christian, I’m a Christian, we do business, but you’re going to be mad at me because I billed you full price? Are you saying my work has less value because our beliefs are similar? If your work is shoddy, lazy, and cheap, forget the fact I got the “Christian discount” you were over-charging me (along with everyone else) in the first place! If you’re going to give me a quality product, I wouldn’t feel right asking you for a discount in the first place. I’ll give you what it’s worth. Just please make it worth something!

Christians, if you really want to get the support of Christians and non-Christians alike, make a quality product! Have quality service! Do quality work! Quality is worth paying for. I will not support anyone who produces a product or service that is sub par regardless of their beliefs. I will support you when you create something worth supporting.

If you’re a Christian businessperson, the way you conduct yourself is a direct representation of Christ. And we often wonder why people don’t more people don’t like us (Christians). Probably because they’ve met one too many! It’s a travesty that those who should be showing the world how to really love are most often those who turn the world off.

[Written by Stuart McDonald for Elev8.com. For more from Stuart, check out his personal blog and follow him on Twitter]