I'm a security freak (having none), Kell.
Given things w/your marriage...and that life will always, always bring SOME kind of change...
I think what I would do is ask the church what level of commitment they would make to you.
Would they agree to a salary review in 6 months?
Would they agree that if the church store business slows, they would create compensatory tasks for you so your income would be guaranteed not to drop if that happened? (If it were me, I'd want them to say, yes, you could polish the candlesticks, help with RE part-time, or whatever...). I would ask for something like that so they accept that they are making a commitment to me.
The only difference I see between the church store and pure private sector (furniture store) is that the former might have some ethical hesitation about layoffs, that the latter would not. And you're right about the economy.
I believe MLM success, real success, is rare as hen's teeth. In a shaky economy, expensive supplements get replaced by drugstore brands in many people's budgets, I'd think.
Furniture...well, if things get really bad people will buy second-hand or make do. So it does seem like an unsafe industry for bad times. Would either job give you health insurance or any other benefits? That could be a deciding factor.
I guess if you can't move (I understand why) I would do everything in your power to scale back consumption...clothes, extras, entertainment, prepared foods. Build an emergency fund.
(Like I haven't.)
love,
Hops
