A Childhood Story From India
When Vijay opened his store, he put up a sign that said: “We Sell Fresh Fish Here”. His father stopped by and said that the word “We” suggests an emphasis on the seller rather than the customer, and is really not needed. So the sign was changed to “Fresh Fish Sold Here.”
His brother came by and suggested that the word “here” could be done away with—it was superfluous. Vijay agreed and changed the sign to “Fresh Fish Sold.”
Next, his sister came along and said the sign should just say “Fresh Fish.” Clearly, it is being sold; what else could you be doing?
Later, his neighbor stopped by to congratulate him. Then he mentioned that all passers-by could easily tell that the fish was really fresh. Mentioning the word fresh actually made it sound defensive as though there was room for doubt about the freshness. Now the sign just read: “FISH”.
As Vijay was walking back to his shop after a break he noticed that one could identify the fish from its smell from very far, at a distance from which one could barely read the sign. He knew there was no need for the word “FISH”.
When I read this story, (from Presentationzen by Guy Kawasaki), I could not help but think that as Christians, we are selling Christ. If we live our faith, people will know and will want to buy into our Christ. We advertise Jesus by our lives.
“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” 2 Corinthians 2:15. If we are truly the fragrance of Christ, then Christ will be selling Himself through our lives. It is in knowing Christ that we can let him live out His life through us.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people approached us repeatedly with the question, “I want what you have. Can you share it with me?
Let's sell Jesus through our lives!
I always said I hated 'Sales' but I can do this one because I am sold on the 'Product'.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people approached us repeatedly with the question, “I want what you have. Can you share it with me?
Let's sell Jesus through our lives!
I always said I hated 'Sales' but I can do this one because I am sold on the 'Product'.
Amen, amen.
ReplyDeleteFunny story! But so true!! Wow, this is such an eye-opener for me. My life is a testimony & one "selling point" to other people for Jesus! Me, little, sinner me!! Glory to God alone & it's my prayer that I will be worthy to "sell" Jesus with my life. Amen!
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ReplyDeleteOh yes indeed, I see little things every day that continue to downplay the truth and honesty of Christ, most often under the moniker of not offending others and being "friendly" to our society. Many more Christians every day are becoming complacent / resigned to this just being the way it is. We've been called to be loving and honest, not to hide under a bushel, which we will never need to if we are staying true to what we've been called to do, modeling the One who defines righteousness. May God help me to remain an honest light of His love to others. Love you!
ReplyDeleteThis was such a "cute" story & yet you turned it around in such a way... I wasn't even expecting that.. It's so TRUE.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking allot about this.. I joined a new church about 5 weeks ago & I just love it & the focus is the "heart". I had been attending an internet church for almost a year... I had no idea what was so near me... Someone invited me... but I got the invite too late.. then one Saturday in my prayer closet... God gave me instruction to go there for Sunday..
It's changed my life. I don't want to be wise, more than I want to be the love of God. I don't want to be more prophetic than to be the love of God. I don't want to be more giving than to be the love of Christ. I want to exemplify His love more than anything else & by that, will all people know we're His brethren that if we love one another as He loves us. I don't want people to even have to guess.
Love!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fantastic post! Your absolutely right in that if we need to sell Him through our lives. What is so amazing is that as you start to do that you start to watch your relationship grow with Him.
ReplyDeleteGreat "food for thought" here, in the interesting post and in the comments so far. In harmony with all of this, I want, too, neither to obscure truth in the guise of friendliness, also want to BE His love more than do anything apart from that, and agree that living with this focus also grows our relationship with Him. I would also add that the way to become more "Him" and "His love" is by intentional focus on Him, spending time just with Him, paying rapt attention to the words He speaks. "We become what we gaze at," and we become like whomever we hang out with most. His aroma gets on us, and wafts abroad from there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this!
Thank you for all your great and thoughtful comments. I almost want to rewrite the end of this post now! It is so true: to sell Him, we have to live Him. To live Him we have to know Him.
ReplyDeleteI loved this! And the application is so true. I want to be the sweet aroma of Jesus -- so others will be drawn to Him and not to me. I find I have to search my heart often to keep it that way.
ReplyDeleteThere are a handful of people that I have met that make me "want what they have". Not because these people were rich or attractive but because they were authentic. I find myself drawn to them, and in admiration I wish I could be like them. These people will all tell you that Christ is their center. These people who radiate Christ, not by their words alone, by in every action and movement of their will. They inspire me to grow in Christ so that I too can reveal such authenticity to everyone I meet. Jesus truly shines through his believers.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting story to get a great point across. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
I want to be a sweet smell drawing others to him. We do have a product that is superb, exciting and wonderful Help me to sell it, give it away freely and passionately.
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
Hopefully our lives will exude an aroma of praise and thanksgiving, of giving glory to our Maker! Great point! :^) patsy
ReplyDeleteYep, the old adage still hold true, action speaks far louder than words. I loved the story of the fish. Great illustration for life, for faith.
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