Yesterday in the parking lot at work I saw something on the ground that looked almost like a wad of $100 bills. I picked it up and realized it was one of those tracts made to look like money. In case you’re not familiar with them, the idea is to drop one on the ground and walk away. When someone picks it up (thinking it to be money) then proceed to read it and are presented with the gospel message.
The first time I saw one of these about 16 or so years ago, I thought, “That’s an awesome idea!”…I was 15. Yesterday, though (and again today when I saw another one in the same spot) I was appalled at the thought that a Christian would feel the need to use deception to tell someone about salvation. I’m sure that there are stories to be found of someone picking one of these up, hearing the message of salvation, and accepting Christ. I also understand and agree that if one soul is saved through something, then it’s worth all the cost, but I have a hard time believing that these people wouldn’t have been reached if the Christians in their lives (friends, family, co-workers) would’ve been doing what they are supposed to do. (Sharing the gospel.)
Jesus didn’t leave hidden messages to lead people to God. He proclaimed loudly and boldly that He was not only a messenger from God, but the very Son of God in the flesh. Were I one of the unsaved, unchurched people these things are intended for, I doubt I would be very receptive to the message of the tract after having my hopes of an easy hundred dashed.
Instead of hiding behind an anonymous tract, we should also be bold about who our savior is. If we have a personal relationship with Christ, then we can speak with boldness and confidence about who He is. Many people already have bad ideas about Christians because of people who claim Christ, but don’t live according to His teachings. Let’s not give them deception and manipulation to add to the list.
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” — Acts 4:20
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Ya, I’ve thought the same thing. On the other hand, Jesus said that He taught in parables to “keep people from understanding.” Go figure that one out! He taught in such a way so that ONLY those who were being called by the Spirit would work hard to search out what was “really” going on., to ask more questions, to think it through. Regardless, my guess is that tracts in general are probably a waste of paper.