One person I know used to call the local radio stations every morning and let them know which gas stations had the cheapest gas that day. He wasn’t paid to do it, nor was he ever asked to do it. Instead, he viewed it as a public service to let others know where they could save five or ten cents per gallon on their gas. If you add that up, in a normal SUV, that’s perhaps $2.50 you can save!
The man did this every day. Why? Because he wanted to help others.
Sure, $2.50 isn’t much, but people sure do feel like ten cents per gallon is a big deal. In fact, they’ll drive a mile or two out of their way to get their gas cheaper…never bothering to consider that they wasted a gallon of gas doing it—and thus wasted more money than they saved.
Because he thought they would be interested. Saving money seems to interest most people, even if it is a little amount. I know of one person (I won’t mention his name) who uses a calculator at the grocery store to figure out how much things cost per ounce. And if it happens to save him a penny, he’ll buy the big container instead of four of the little ones—even if he’s not going to use all of it for months.
Because he hoped it would be important to them. For some people who are on a very tight budget or a fixed income, every little bit helps. And hearing about the best price in town is very useful.
Now, answer honestly: have you ever told a total stranger where they could find something cheaper? I was in a grocery store once, and heard someone complaining about the price of Ritz crackers. I then heard someone else say, “they have them for half the price over at _________.”
People spread this kind of news all the time, and many times it is to total strangers.
About this point, you’re either wondering where I’m going, or you’ve already figured it out.
Why is it that people (including Christians) are so eager and unafraid to spread the good news about cheap gas, but are so timid and scared when it comes to spreading the REALLY good news about the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Do you want to help others?
Of course you do! But what is more helpful, telling people how to save $2.50, or telling them how to save their eternal soul?
Do you find Jesus and the Bible and salvation interesting?
There’s a lot of other people out there who do as well. What do you think is more interesting to most people? $2.50 or freedom from the guilt and consequences of their past sins?
Do you think salvation is important?
If you don’t try to talk to others about it, then the answer is “no.” Most people have no problem telling total strangers about good deals, all because they think saving money is important. Do you think saving souls is important?
If you want to be helpful—truly helpful—to other people, tell them about Jesus. And if you want to tell them how to save $2.50 while you’re at it, then they will have two things to thank you for: helping their pocketbook, but also helping their soul.
–Bradley Cobb