Christian MLM (Multi Level Marketing)
- Beware the "Get Rich Quick" Plan

"A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager
to get rich will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 28:20)

If you're seeking a Christian home based business, you no doubt have seen many sites with testimonials of people who made lots of money in a very short time. Don't fall for it! Here are some things you need to know:

• Most of these "opportunities" are multi level marketing (MLM) programs, which means you make money off the people you recruit, and the people they recruit, and the the people they recruit...The only people who make a lot of money are usually the people at the top of the pyramid (yes, I said pyramid. Click here for the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Information page.) With MLM, most people make more money by recruiting people than by selling the company's product(s) or service(s), thus the term pyramid. Thus, also, the typical high cost of signing up and (often) requirement to buy the product(s) or service(s) yourself.
• Most of the "opportunities" are not operated by Christian companies. Sure, the person whose website you visit might be a Christian (most likely an independent agent), but the larger organization is most likely not Christian. This doesn't mean the company is bad necessarily, but you need to be aware that you're probably not dealing with Christians. Don't be fooled by the advertisments for "Christian" businesses.
• Basically, if the "opportunity" implies that you can get rich quick and easily, it's a good idea to move on. I make a lot of money on the Internet with very little effort, but it has taken me years to accomplish this. I call it my "get rich slow" plan.
• In my opinion, any "opportunity" that talks about how much money people made in x number of days, weeks or months is probably a waste of time. I don't doubt someone, somewhere made money with the program, but the average person will never make that kind of money.
• Starting and building a business takes time and effort. No matter what the opportunity, if you are not willing to invest your time and effort into it, with income building slower over time, you will either give up or fail.
• Thoroughly check out any home based business opportunity you are seriously considering. Find out where the main (corporate) location is and contact the Better Business Bureau in their area, as well as the Online Better Business Bureau. Speak with someone at the company (preferably the main corporate offices, not some independent agent) and confirm that they are Christian and the company is Christian owned and operated. Do some Google searches for the company name (again, the main corporate name, not the name of some agent). Search for their name and words like "fraud," "scam," and "complaint" (In other words enter the company name, plus each of these words one at a time, into the Google search box. For instance: You would enter "herbal marketing group scam" without the quotes for one search, and so on.) Here are some sites to check:

  - Scambusters.org
  - Scam.com
  - Federal Trade Commission
  - Fraud Bureau

  You will have to discern between one or two people who have an "axe to grind" and a real problem with a company. There are other sites like the ones listed, just go to Google and search for the words, "scam," "fraud," and "ripoff." You should also find out who the founder(s) of the company is/are and do the same kind of searches for his/their name(s) as well. Often these guys will get shut down and pop up somewhere else with a new company and new products or services.

I realize I've gotten rather long-winded here, but I'm sick and tired of seeing all these "get rich quick" schemes advertised as Christian businesses. Many Christians assume that just because the word "Christian" appears somewhere that you can trust them. Don't you believe it!

In conclusion: Be careful. Do your homework before you spend any money. Pray about any opportunity you are considering. Have realistic expectations. Don't expect to "get rich quick."

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.” (Luke 12:15a)