If you were a little challenged by the last WFTW, I understand. I’ve been challenged often with things I’ve been shown until I had the chance to thoroughly check them out. My goal is to preach the gospel of the kingdom, not promote multilevel marketing, though I do have a high regard for it. Even so, I always cause a lot of controversy when I say that “in some ways” multilevel marketers understand “some” principles of the kingdom better than many church leaders do. I don’t mind causing controversy with the truth. This is the truth.

          I readily admit that for many the multilevel fellowships have displaced the church as the central society in their lives. It is not supposed to be that way, but it is, and it wouldn’t be if these people could find the same level of fellowship and discipleship that they are finding in some multilevel marketing groups. We should not condemn that which is showing us something important we need to see.

          Christians need real fellowship and discipleship that many are not able to get in their church. I’ve sat in board meetings of large multilevel companies that were more like a Bible study than a business meeting. I loved it, was edified, and my hope has been that the church would become the community we are called to be. Community comes from the words common-unity, which is what we are supposed to be. We are supposed to be “a city that is set on a hill,” and a city is multiple communities bound together.

          In general, the church is now far from what it is called to be, but it will get there. It will not get there in one step, but the process is moving in the right direction. The process is hard at times, but this is designed to help make us into the citizens of this holy nation we need to be. The process, which includes a lot of irritations, frustrations, and dealing with other difficult people like those who have to deal with us, is essential for true Christian maturity. Getting to the goal will be wonderful, but this is the only path for getting there.

          I once asked Brig Hart, who was one of the most successful multilevel marketers, what he thought the basis of the success of multilevel marketing was. His answer was a crucial insight into a kingdom principle the church must have. He said that when someone comes into their business, they are immediately shown what they can achieve. They are then shown where they are and then what the next step is toward their goal. In this way, everyone knows where they are in their journey at all times.

          Can you answer these questions about your Christian life? Do you know what you can attain in Christ? Do you know where you are now? Do you know the next step on your journey? These should all be basic for a new believer.

          The great Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-14 that he did not feel he had yet attained, but “this one thing I do, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus…” (KJV). Certainly he was not talking about being saved or having eternal life, which he attained the moment he believed in the atonement of the cross for his salvation. He was talking about a “high calling,” which even near the end of his life, when he wrote this Epistle, he did not think he had yet attained. This is what he said he was “running the race” for. Do you see this high calling? Are you in pursuit of it with the singleness of mind that Paul had?

          If we saw it we would. So how do we see this if it is not revealed to us? It is revealed to those who care enough to ask, to seek, and to knock until the door is opened.