Why do you sell THAT here?

From the very beginning, Orphans Treasure Box has been consistent (and insistent) on one thing: that we are to live out what God has called us to do. It’s been clear at many points during our journey that this was so. He connected the dots so our founder, Beth, could envision how books could be a means to a taking a radical step in following His command to care for the orphan. He opened doors, literally, to our current space. He’s brought us volunteers and staff at just the right time for where we were and where they were in their journeys. He sustains us during the slow seasons and reminds us to let Him lead during the busy ones. We strive to seek His guidance, and He continually provides. We are committed to running a business and organization that is Christ-centered.

So why, then, do we sell titles such as these?

The Koran

God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything

Entering the Stream: An Introduction to the Buddha and His Teachings

The Ecstatic Journey: The Transforming Power of Mystical Experience

And there are many more like these to be found. We don’t have any issue with putting these titles, which might put forth ideas that fly in the face of beliefs that we adhere to as a Christian organization, on our shelves. Here’s why.

• While we are a Christian organization, and our staff and board adhere to a statement of faith, we exist in a community that stretches beyond those who call themselves Christ followers. Volunteers do not have to share our faith, and obviously neither do customers. Those who come through our doors or find us online are coming from many backgrounds, faith and otherwise, and the more we limit what we sell, the more we limit those who come into contact with an organization that is striving to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. If we are going to open our doors and extend our hands to everyone, then just selling books that are “Christian” is not an option.
• Following Christ does not mean checking our intellect at the door. Reading books that challenge our beliefs can expand our knowledge base and increase our understanding of those around us who don’t think the same way we do.
• Our God is big enough to handle our questions and our doubts. Period. And frankly, between what we read in the Bible and what we see happening in our world sometimes, questions abound. But part of growing in our faith is stretching it, and the more we stretch the more we strengthen our ability to trust in God and rest in the knowledge that we may not ever have all of the answers, but we have a God with a plan.

We realize there may be supporters and customers who don’t agree with every choice we make, and that’s okay. We will continue to seek God’s guidance in all decisions and live out our witness through the interactions that we have with our volunteers, with our customers, with our ReStart employees, and with those we are able to bless with the profits from the books we sell.