The Bro-Deal

We lived in Quincy, WA for ten years and regularly shopped at the local "Coast to Coast" store there. The owner of the store at that time was a solid Christian man who was often discouraged by the seemingly endless line of Christians who came into his hardware store looking for the "bro-deal", i.e. a discount because they were, you know, his brothers-in-Christ.

On hearing about this, I was thankful for the teaching of my former-pastor, Jim Wilson, who encouraged us cash-strapped college students to think of the "bro-deal" in just the opposite terms, i.e. to think of blessing Christian merchants and service providers with whatever extra we could afford, because you know, they were our brothers in Christ. As Paul neatly put it, "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

For some more insight into this habit of grace, here's a quote from an extended article by Douglas Wilson, "Expecting a Christian professional to give you a discount because you are a brother is equivalent to him charging you 5% more because you are a brother. It makes no spiritual sense in the world whatever.”

And just in case you're thinking you can't afford to do this, according to Jesus you really can't afford not to. For our Savior promised, “...give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Have you freely received? Then freely give.

GH