God's better than Wal-Mart

Revelation 3 (The Message)

 ¹⁸"Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.

My wife lives at Wal-Mart. You can get just about anything at one of their SuperCenter's. You can get fresh shrimp (even in Indiana), Beach Supplies (Panama City Wal-Mart), get an oil change, buy prescriptions, get your eyes checked, buy hearing aids, guns, camping gear, Holiday supplies, jewelry, computers, Photos, Pet supplies, and countless other items. If they don't have it at Wal-Mart, it's not worth having! Everyone shops at Wal-Mart. If you don't believe me, get on Youtube and search people of Wal-Mart. Believe me every type of person imaginable shops at "Wally World".

Do you realize how Big Wal-mart is.  Here are a few facts:

1. At Wal-Mart, Americans spend $36,000,000 every hour of every day. 
2. This works out to $20,928 profit every minute! 
3. Wal-Mart will sell more from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) than Target sells all year. 
4. Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot + Kroger + Target + Sears + Costco + K-Mart combined. 
5. Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people and is the largest private employer. Only the U.S.Government employes more people. 
6. Wal-Mart is the largest company in the history of the World. 
7. Wal-Mart now sells more food than Kroger & Safeway combined, and they did this in only 15 years. 
8. During this same period, 31 Supermarket chains sought bankruptcy (including Winn-Dixie). 
9. Wal-Mart now sells more food than any other store in the world. 
10. Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores in the USA of which 1,906 are SuperCenters; this is 1,000 more than it had 5 years ago. 
11. This year, 7.2 billion different purchasing experiences will occur at a Wal-Mart store. 
(Earth's population is approximately 6.5 billion). 
12. 90% of Americans live within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart 


I know some people are critical of Wal-Mart. This SUPER-DUPER chain of stores has been the demise of many Mom & Pop grocery store chains and has completely changed the way we shop in this country. When Stephanie and I go on vacation, we shop at Wal-Mart because we know we can find what we want. Their are many, many stories of how Wal-mart has unfairly dictated pricing of items and has been a Corporate Bully. But, Wal-Mart also has a great foundation that donates millions of $$$ to charities. Our Local Wal-Mart has been a great contributor to our school and Athletic Department. We also have a Wal-Mart Distribution center in town. They also have been a great corporate partner with our school. I don't think they get enough credit for all the great things they do.  Why is Wal-Mart so popular? It's simple.......They provide convenient one stop shopping and they do it at great prices. 
As popular as Wal-Mart is, God is better than Wal-Mart. I hope you are not offended by this statement. People go to Wal-Mart for everything. I am sure many people spend more time at Wal-Mart than they do in conversation with God. I am sure most people give more of their worldly wealth to Wal-Mart than they give in tithe for the cause of Christ. I am sure that some people spend more time looking through Wal-Mart ads than they do studying God's word. But, God can provide us with so much more than Wal-Mart. A relationship with God and a love of our Savior will provide a life that does not end. A life with our Savior at the center provides for all of our needs and blessings beyond measure. This message to the church at Laodicea states the same thing. We don't need to put our faith in the things of this world. We need to put our Faith in Christ. People don't worship Wal-Mart, but sometimes we put a lot more faith in these places than we do the creator of the universe. 


Dear Lord, We put so many things of this world in front of you. Please forgive us our trespasses. Help us to focus on you and the life you would have us lead. Help us to keep your will and your purposes as our own.  We love you and we need you. Thank you for being the God of mercy and grace. Amen!