For Hobby Lobby founder David Green, there are some profits simply not worth pursuing.
The Christian businessman is drawing renewed attention for his decision to walk away from Halloween merchandise.
According to a Newsmax “National Report” segment, Green previously said Hobby Lobby had generated more than $22 million in Halloween merchandise sales before he became convicted that the company should stop carrying the products.
“I was carrying Halloween merchandise as an example and we sold over $22 million worth of it,” Green said in comments highlighted in connection with the story. “And I just felt in my spirit that God says, ‘don’t sell this.’ And so I got out of the Halloween business, and I lost the sales.”
Green described Halloween as “a dark holiday and a celebration of death” that is not God-honoring, pointing specifically to merchandise featuring blood and horror.
Instead, customers will find fall and Thanksgiving merchandise, including scarecrows, pumpkins, leaves and other autumn decorations.
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But Green’s broader explanation reveals something bigger than one company’s position on Halloween. In comments to The School of Hard Knockz highlighted by Newsmax, Green explained that Hobby Lobby’s Christian principles have repeatedly carried a financial cost.
“We will never compromise our Christian faith or our integrity for more money,” Green said. “I will not do that.”
“…in the long term, God has blessed our company well,” he continued.
In a culture where corporate decisions are often measured by the next quarter’s earnings, Green’s approach presents a dramatically different equation: What does it profit a company to gain another $22 million if doing so requires its leadership to violate its convictions?
Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:24 remain as piercing in the boardroom as they are in the church: “You cannot serve God and mammon.”
For Hobby Lobby, the answer appears settled. If the choice comes down to millions of dollars or what God has called the company to do, the money stays on the table.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about Abby at abbytrivett.com.
