Sharing the Good News - The Drop

I had given the cashier a “million dollar” tip to which she replied, “Wow, I wish this was real because I would be out of here right now!” Although this was a great lead-in for sharing with her, I respected that she was on the job and with others behind me I went to a table and waited for the appropriate time for “the drop” (or “How chickens hand out Gospel tracts”).

“The drop” is an easy way to get the Gospel to others and especially helpful to those of us who are not naturally outgoing or extroverted. As I finished eating, and with only one couple in the restaurant this was as good a time as any to try it.

I walked up to them and simply dropped a couple of million dollar bills on the table. As I walked away I told them that lunch was on me. I continued out the door and left them to their meal. Easy.

Sharing the Good News - Missed Opportunities

As she began checking us out she glanced up and became terribly excited about a Christian youth camp I was familiar with. She said one of her friends had been there and just loved it. I was a bit confused but said, "Yes, it is a great camp." I mentioned that my daughter's had been attending for a few years. I asked if she had ever been, she said no and continued to scan our items. I was at a loss as to what prompted the whole conversation. Finally, after some time, I realized my hat was an advertisement for the camp. I had thanked her and paid before I realized, too late, once again, waht an opportunity I had just missed to share the Good News. She was the one that brought up a spiritual topic, the Christian camp. I didn't even have to start the conversation. There are no chance encounters and I had, without a doubt, missed this opportunity to share. Lord, please give us boldness and attentiveness to the people you place in out path every day.

Sharing the Good News - Bookstore Evangelism

When would the persecution start? Would they notice that I looked “suspicious” when I walked in? Perhaps they have a camera poised to catch “my type”? As I walked toward the religion section I was wary. I scanned the signs and settled for the “New Age” and “Astrology” row. I casually picked up a book titled The Solitary Witch and dropped my tract between the pages. I perused the titles a bit more (don’t want to seem to eager) then selected The Magical Almanac and dropped another tract between the pages. I prayed a short prayer for whoever might find that one then began in earnest, with a new boldness, dropping tracts in as quickly as possible. I ended with Oprah’s new “guru”, Eckhart Tolle, and then retreated to safety. I was thankful to escape the floggings and thankful for another small step.

Sharing the Good News - Drive thru evangelism

Nobody was in this line but as we got to the window the face staring back seemed a little overwhelmed. I asked if she had been working hard. She nodded in the affirmative. I told her she needed a raise and gave her a million dollar bill. Her eyes widened. She smiled and gave me my meal and change. As we drove away we heard her yelling to her co-workers, “Have you guys been working hard tonight!”

I used to think that tracts were ineffective, somewhat tawdry and cheap. As I thought about it I realized that in certain cases it was the only way to get the message out. If I really cared about that clerk, waitress or receptionist wouldn’t I write a note to her asking her to consider what would happen when she dies? Of course I would. Well-made, professional tracts are just that kind of note.

Sharing the Good News - Stop light evangelism

I had seen other homeless people on that corner but didn’t recall ever seeing her. For the past six years I had spent at least five minutes every working day waiting for the light to change at that corner. Periodically people would stand there with their signs asking for a handout. As a rule, I don’t give money to people who are asking for it. Food perhaps, but never money. With food there are really only a couple of options, eat it or throw it away. Money gives you more options, not all of which are good. As a co-worker pulled up behind me he started pulling out his wallet so I began to do the same thing. All I had was a one dollar bill, a twenty dollar bill and a million dollar bill tract. As she approached my car I pulled out the dollar bill and the million dollar bill. I rolled down the window, gave her the money and asked her what she thought would happen to her when she died. I’m sure there was a better transition but the light was changing. She said she hoped heaven. I asked her why. She said because of Jesus Christ. The light changed. I told her that was great and asked her to promise me should would read the back of the million dollar bill tract. She said she would.

I drove away thinking – what was my motive? Was it that I saw my co-worker behind me? Was it because I cared for her soul? Was it because I just wanted to meet my man-made goal? Our motive must be right.