Siphoning Gas in the Church Parking Lot

We were just talking in my office when he looked at my window and said, “T, is someone siphoning gas from your truck?”

There is no way. It was the middle of the day. Who in the world would do such a thing?

Well, he was.

I flung up open the door and said, “Hey, buddy!”

He pulled his mouth back from the hose, spit, and said, “Ummm, yeah?”

“What do you think you are doing?”

“I’m just getting some gas out of my girlfriend’s truck.”

“You and I both know that isn’t her truck.”

“My bad.”

As he jumps in his truck as fast as possible, I was dumbfounded. My jaw was probably touching the parking lot asphalt.

Who in the world would have the audacity to drive into a church parking lot and make it all about what they could take away for themselves?

Yes. Who indeed?

The reality is that happens at every church every single week. People drive in when they want to in order to get what they want without ever thinking of how they could give to what others need.

We have made church all about us.

We come in order to get instead of to give. Consumerism has taken hold, and few can fathom that church is something more than a place to get free commodities. Get your fill up no matter what it takes and then drive away with other people having to cover the investment.

We can do better.

We must do better.

If you feel like you are missing something from your church experience, it might be because you are coming only to take and never to give. People need you. You have gifts. You have experiences. You have insights.

Things you take for granted might be life-saving to another.

Gather with your church baring open hands. You might be surprised to realize it’s what you’ve been missing all along.

45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:45-47