What Does Being A Christian Have To Do With Buying A Car?

While I was at the NRB Last week leaving a restaurant, I was recognized as the Christian Car Guy and introduced to several people and as is the case often several laughed at the thought of a Christian Car Guy. Then the man to my right looked straight into my eyes and asked the same question that begins my show every week, “what does being a Christian have to do with buying a car?”.

My mind went right to this article I wrote a few years ago and the underlying point being that your car sales person is your neighbor. 

The toughest question any car salesperson can really face and they do it five to ten times a day is, “What’s your best price?” I’m sure many salespeople like me have had nightmares about it. The reason being is there is not a “Best Price” so to speak and how the salesman handles that question is quite often a determining factor in the rest of the relationship. So the battle begins for the best price and I do mean battle.

The Battle lines are drawn; it’s me versus them is often the scenario and at the end of that one nobody really wins. The Battle I would propose Biblically is from Ephesians 6: 12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

With Ephesians six in mind let’s take a look at how we could fight this battle Biblically. Let’s try putting on the “Full Armor” and see that step by step.

The belt of truth, so throw out all that baloney about not telling the salesperson that you have a trade or hide what your budget is. Strap on the belt of truth and tell the salesperson what is really going on. Even your credit if there is that issue. So many customers don’t get anywhere close to a good price because the salesman caught them in a bold face lie, and with many salespeople you have just told them, “game on”. It’s no longer how can I help these people but how do I take advantage of this situation. Once the salesman doesn’t trust you, because you have lied to him, the battle will rage against you, not spiritual forces in high places because you look like the bad guy.

The breast Plate of Righteousness. This part of the Armor is so critical in any battle this one protects your heart, but getting it on was a tough one for me for a number of years. My problem being I have no righteousness on my own so I need Christ to begin with. Righteousness, I believe, comes from a right relationship with God in all three parts, but also a right relationship with people. Matthew 5: 23-24 “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

So as you approach this sales situation I believe you ask God for His help, trust God’s heart that it is good toward you. Then approach the salesperson with authentic real information and humility asking for help. It is so amazing what you get when you ask for it in sincerity. This guy wants to help you and a good salesman is persuasive and you are going to want him to be persuading his used car manager to give you more for your trade and the sales manager to get you a better price or the finance manager to get you a lower interest rate. A great car salesman on your side against the evil forces against all of you is huge asset.

Believe me the evil is lurking everywhere.  Greed and envy on the parts of all parties involved from the used car manager, new car manager, salesperson, sales manager, the bank, the finance manager, the customer as well. A right relationship with all these folks turns a individual battle into a team effort. A team effort toward a higher goal than you may imagine.

I almost hate to tell you something most every car salesperson knows. You are told early in your career you don’t want to wait on any customer who fits into the three ‘P’ categories. The Three ‘P’s” being ‘Policeman’, ‘Physicians’ and you may have guessed it ‘Preachers’. I could write a whole article while this is true for each of the categories, but I’ll save that for another time. I will say that the vast majority of my experience waiting on preachers was wasted and frustrating. I don’t tell you this to gripe but to help you see the evil that is a foot. You could be a bad witness for Jesus. So strap on that breast plate.

Ephesians 6:15 “and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

Truly one of the most misunderstood pieces of armor in my opinion. I wrote a whole article on it once Have you Shod Your Feet Lately . The two things I want to mention here are: number one you must be ready to stand firm. Four times in this passage Paul instructs us to stand firm, you need to stand your ground on what you want in the way of a car, don’t compromise. If you want blue get blue, if you want power door locks get power door locks. If you can’t afford a new one get a used one but get the car you really want. There is no such thing as a ‘best price’ on the wrong car; you will have wasted everyone’s time and effort. Don’t compromise on your budget, on the fact that you are paying cash if you are paying cash or how much a month or how many months. Stand firm, but then there is number two.

Stand firm like you have good news, that’s the Gospel isn’t it; good news. Don’t stand firm angrily, Satan will get a foot hold. In that article I explain how in those days they could tell by how messengers ran whether they had good news or bad news. SO Stand firm; But with your feet shod with the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:16 “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

You have to trust God, trust His heart, and believe Him. No flaming dart can pierce that shield. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. Believe God has the right car at the right price, just when the battle seems lost like the Kings in Narnia, God can show up through the trees or the river.

Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The breastplate protected your heart; the helmet protects your mind. Romans 12:16 instructs “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” This is a team effort against evil; not your brother, and you must protect your mind with the overall thought that this is not a battle against people. Protect your mind by tuning in to the mind of Christ and not listening to the condemnation from the devil. He will be condemning others or condemning you against yourself so listen with discernment.

Ephesians 6:17 “ sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Here is your offensive weapon, arm yourself with the scriptures on debt, with the proverbs on transactions with the very scripture I am giving here.  Get them solid in hand; a sword in the sheath is worthless. Again these are to use against the Evil.

Ephesians 6:17 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

Pray, pray, pray…..Ultimately if we turn it all over to God we win, we all win. You get a great car that God has for you. The salesperson got a deal, the dealership sold the car with some profit so they can stay in business to help you keep it serviced. You have a great relationship and witness with the whole team and they know good news is on the way when the see you coming… Nothing Like A Full Armor Best Price……