Should Christians boycott Target?

Should Christians boycott Target?

Target Boycott Pledge

I was discussing this with some friends recently, and here is the conclusion I (and I think we) came to.

First I will say this. If you legitimately don't feel safe taking your children to Target or using the restrooms because of this, then by all means don't go there, simply just don't use the bathrooms, or don't allow your children to without supervision.

Also, we should do good "especially to the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). So if there is an alternative by which we can give business to a Christian providing the same services, I think we should do that. However, a lot of the time that isn't possible. If you know a Christian running a business that provides identical services to Target, then by all means shop there.

But, should we outright boycott or refuse business to target because of their "core beliefs" conflicting with ours? Initially I admit, my thoughts were leaning towards yes. I was ready to boycott them. However, I think it was I who was missing the mark. Given further thought and discussion on this, I don't think that is actually the most Christ honoring decision. Here are some reasons why.

1. Such as in the case of Target, can you imagine if this was Jesus' approach to evil? Likewise, can it really be his instruction to us who have been commissioned likewise to do so? Who would have heard the Gospel, and who would hear it today if the answer is to just boycott the sexually immoral--who make foolish decisions because of sexually immoral or greedy reasons? Consider 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

"I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”"

I think it's a mistake to believe that by not doing "business" with places like Target (not a brother, not a professing Christian business), we are suffering or doing so for righteousness sake. I think part of the point of 1 Cor 9 is that we shouldn't be surprised when the world gets it totally wrong and delights in sin. "Since you would have to go out of this world..."

2. Filthy money is filthy money. No matter how you slice it, money is dirty. Do you know where your money has been? Do you know what it has accomplished? Money, no matter how we spend it, isn't where it's at. It's not where our minds or hearts should be. It's not what should bring us peace or fulfill our dreams. Look at your money and ask, "How much evil have you accomplished in your life?  What evil will you accomplish after I have released you?"  Do you really want to know?  Let's just not spend any more money, then.

..."but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-21).

So the question we should ask then, is does shopping at Target (as opposed to anywhere else) cause us to not lay up treasure in heaven? I'm saying no because the treasures we lay up in heaven are not calculated like that. The women who gave two coins gave more than all the rest (Mark 12:44).  She was laying up more treasure in heaven, even though she gave less worldly wealth.  So, how does that work?

The exchange of money to the glory of God, is not even a matter of amount, but of the heart. So, what is your heart when you exchange money at Target? Is it just to get yourself more stuff and solve our problems with money? Is it to get sweet new fun game, nice shirt or pants, and buy joy? Are we merely exchanging money, or things, or are our minds and hearts focused on something deeper? Is our choice to not shop at Target because we think we are solving Target's problems by giving them filthy money? Then it is no wonder we can not longer say, "Silver and gold we do not have, but in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk!" (Acts 3:6). Perhaps we are just missing the point all together.

3. If Target, then what about every where else? Whenever we need to buy something, or have repairs done, are we supposed to have the people who we might do business with fill out a moral and doctrinal questionnaire, first, before we commit to exchanging our money for their services? I think Paul is basically saying 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, is don't worry about it--sinners are going to sin. God will judge them. Let's speak truth and share the Gospel, absolutely. Don't shy away from name sin and the need for repentance--amen. However, are we doing that? Just refusing to do business with sinners because of sins like this is path that ultimately isolates us from those who need to hear the Gospel to be saved from those sins.

4. Target isn't requiring you to wave a LGBT (or LGBTQ, now) flag. They aren't requiring your to participate in any sexual sin. They are simply sinners, as all are, who miss the mark and are doing business in this world. Do we really want to isolate ourselves from Target and their employees, who need to hear the Gospel shared and seen it lived out in our lives?

Now all of that said, and back to 1 Cor 9--if a brother or sister is behaving as such... that's a totally different story. However, Target is not a "brother", and so I don't think we need to treat Target as such. Or else who else is left that we shouldn't be boycotting right now? Let's not let ignorance be an excuse. Let's find out the sin, name it, and boycott them all. Not really though, because I don't think that is the Biblical approach. Let's go to Target, let's not take part in the same sins, and let's share the Gospel with those we meet there.