So, first of all, I want to say from the get-go that I am writing this of my own initiative. I say this for the conspiracy-theorists out there who might think we get bonus points if we say anything in support of Logos.
Over the years, there have been times when I have been frustrated with Logos or disagreed with this or that. That's life though. It's normal to disagree especially when we see things from our own vantage point. But there is freedom to see things differently and not project our discontent unto others.
Quite frequently, I encounter reproaches in threads to the effect that Logos is greedy. Now, I am a poor student. I have written in the past about the materialism of endless purchases of collections and books. I also think it important to keep in mind believers and servants of the Lord who can benefit from the software but do not have the buying power there often is in richer countries.
This being said, there is the opposite danger. I have grabbed a lot of freebies over time: on vyrso, free book of the month, etc. There is a point when perhaps the freebies tend to be taken for granted, as if they were to be expected and owed to us, so that there is no longer much of gratitude involved in the "grabbing". This goes also with generous policies such as constant free program updates. I would be the first to groan if I learned that -- as in the case of the release of Logos 5 -- I have to dish out more money to upgrade.
Part of the groan is that I don't have that much money to spend and so I feel the pinch of not being able to get the new toy. I know that there is a free crossgrade coming up and as a matter of fact I have purchased an upgrade. But I write this to illustrate what I am getting at. There is a disappointment when we hope something will be free and it turns out not to be. Also, we may disagree with what choices Logos make on other grounds.
But must that turn into discontent and accusations of greed? We also need to recognize that part of the disappointment comes with coveting the new toy combined with an attitude of entitlement. We, like the workers in the parable the Lord Jesus gave, would complain because we feel we should get more for our contribution when indeed the terms of the contract have been respected.
Perhaps the line can be crossed at times between what is sound profitable business and greed. Money and ministry commodities have always had an uncomfortable relationship. Perhaps also there are legitimate cases in which customers feel they have ground to be unhappy with how something has been handled. But perhaps also, as with children who get many toys, we are accusing of greed when we are frustrated not to be able to have our own greed satisfied. Moreover, as we who are in ministry know, there is a prevalent "cheap" attitude when it comes to remunerating fairly for ministry goods or services. Many people in congregations think entitled to count -- as it were -- every penny in their pastor's wallet and decide that they need to go on with much less than they themselves go on.
I know this is a lot of blab, but this is just a thought to consider: can we, not because we must, but out of a desire to be just in our business dealings with others, also value "fair compensation" for Logos' products and services? Can we choose to pay at times to support the company's efforts and ongoing development, as opposed to just trying to get the most for the least all the time and as much as possible for free?
I offer the challenge not from above but from below as I have caught myself doing this. Perhaps most of you are more spiritual than I am and are above such considerations. But for the rest of us, something to ponder.
On a final note, I know of very few who like Bob Pritchett take so regularly the time to communicate transparently and courteously about their policies. I appreciate this about you, Bob.
