By now I am sure you have heard of the ever offensive red coffee cups that Starbucks is using this year to apparently launch an all-out war on Christmas. This is such an absurd stand and makes Christians look downright foolish in my opinion. First of all, isn’t this the sort of thing we always get mad about? Intolerance? Starbucks can do what they want as a company and many people have said that they feel they should not support Starbucks anyway due to certain political views etc that people don’t want to “support.” Let me pose a few questions for you before you jump on the “I hate Starbucks” bandwagon.
Remember the bracelets in the 90’s WWJD? Well, what do you think Jesus would do? Now most people combat this by saying, “he flipped tables!” Yes, in the temple he flipped tables. Not when he was reaching the lost. He got angry to so called believers not unbelievers. We are not talking about that. I know Biblically you will not find anything that even looks remotely like a boycott. Even when our government is corrupt and we feel our tax money is used wrongly, the Bible says “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” It doesn’t say, do this only if the government spends it correctly. (It also doesn’t say to pay tithe only if you think the church spends money appropriately but I digress.) So how would Jesus respond to this? Well, let’s look at Luke 6:27-28. Jesus says, “27“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” That sure doesn’t sound like boycotting words to me.
Imagine this, What if we organized a Christian day for Starbucks? What if we flooded Starbucks across this country one day and showed true Christianity to the workers and patrons? What if we all went to Starbucks that day and brought someone with us to witness to? Or bought coffee for the homeless person outside? Or just simply bought the coffee for the person in line behind us with a simple “God Loves you?” Maybe we need to start BEING the church again and not just complain because we don’t like something. What would be more effective? Showing someone Christ’s love and tolerance or tricking them into writing Merry Christmas on the cup because you want to prove a point. What if we did that and Starbucks had a record day in sales? Do you think Jesus would be upset because you gave $5.18 to an un-holy organization or proud of the 5 minutes you spent in line and having the opportunity to share Christ just by your example and how you live your life?
Something to think about. Maybe acting like Christ would win more souls than getting mad looking foolish by throwing a fit. I think having everyone go into a Starbucks and telling them your name is “Merry Christmas” will do 2 things. 1) Shows you to be a liar. 2) Annoy the very people we should be reaching. Be honest, be genuine. Get to know people. Show Christ at all times. At the end of the day, it’s pretty foolish to get bent out of shape about something and act like you are righteous when Jesus’s example was staying at a tax collectors house and eating with prostitutes.
I will enjoy Starbucks this year. If you don’t like it, well Merry Christmas anyway!
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