He was the originator of the modern department store in the late 1800’s. We’re not talking about a big box store here. His flagship store in downtown Philadelphia featured the largest organ in the world shipped from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair in thirteen railroad cars and reassembled for placement in its seven-story Grand Court. He invented the price tag, thereby eliminating the time-worn practice of haggling over price. He also created the money-back guarantee and instituted employee benefits unimaginable at the time–pension, life insurance, and vacations. John Wanamaker (1838-1922) amassed a considerable fortune to accompany his innovative business model.
Christianity has had an uneasy relationship with profit-making over the years since acquiring wealth often distracts people from seeking first the kingdom of God. John Wanamaker, whose department bore his name, was unapologetic about making money. Some have accused him of ascribing to a prosperity gospel that believes money is a sign of God’s favor. He said in his defense, “It is good to make money if you share it in the right ways.” He was well-known in his day both for making money and giving it away.
The pastor of the church where he was active, Bethany Presbyterian in Philadelphia, described him as “a committed man of prayer.” John started a Sunday school for twenty students in 1858, which grew to an enrollment of five thousand. He served as its primary teacher and superintendent for fifty-eight years, rarely missing a Sunday. His prayers to begin class were collected into book form, The Prayers of John Wanamaker, and published shortly after his death. One such prayer follows here: