In economics, elasticity measures responsiveness. For example, the price elasticity of demand measures the responsiveness of quantity demanded to changes in price.
If demand is inelastic (less responsive), prices can be increased while causing total revenue to increase. Demand for a product becomes less elastic if consumers believe there are fewer substitutes.
Businesses spend a lot of their focus and treasure trying to reduce the number of substitutes for their products in consumers' minds. They will attempt to offer better products, better service, more variety, more guarantees, better financing, and/or increased convenience.
If they are successful, they can increase demand and decrease elasticity while increasing price and profits. Businesses with less integrity may attempt to increase demand and lower elasticity through deceiving consumers by over promising, under delivering, or selling defective or inferior products. Unethical business decisions may generate short-term revenues, but can have disastrous long-run impacts.
The Kingdom of God has no substitutes. By accepting Jesus, we are adopted into the Kingdom of the King of Kings as citizens, sons and daughters, and servant leaders. The Kingdom message has billions of personal testimonies spanning thousands of years. It promises a life of fulfillment, significance, abundance and power.
As members of the Kingdom, we have access to the resources of heaven and have the Spirit of the living God inside of us. We have the Bible which is filled with absolute truth and its promises are fully reliable. As the Lord's ambassadors on earth, we are asked and equipped to bring the Father's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Ministers should not attempt to compete with the world. Too many ministers have adopted secular strategies and tactics in misguided attempts to increase attendance and/or reduce attrition.
If we try to make our churches more entertaining than secular entertainment, we will lose. If we try to adopt society's cultural values, we are opening doors for our sheep that should remain closed. If we selectively omit part of the Kingdom message so as not to offend, the armor of our sheep will be incomplete. If we lift personalities above the Kingdom message of Jesus, we will not be successful in the long-term. The Kingdom of God has no substitutes.
Let us return to teaching the message of the Kingdom. Let us demonstrate its truthfulness with Kingdom power. Our message and the signs following should be our witness. We should be known for the love that permeates from our congregants.
We do not need cheap imitations as substitutes. We need more of His Presence. We need to demonstrate more of His love and compassion. We need the Word to be confirmed with signs and wonders. We need to teach the the same message of the Kingdom which Jesus taught.
Businesses worry about elasticity. As ministers we need to worry about His Presence and leave the responsiveness to God.
Dr. James Russell is a professor of economics and undergraduate chair of the College of Business at Oral Roberts University.
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