The Parable of The Gas Can

Have you heard about the homeless man who spent his last $20 on gas for a stranded motorist? A woman ran out of gas in Philadelphia. She had no money and no hope until a homeless man offered to buy her some gas. He told her to "get in the car and lock the doors" while he went to the gas station. But in doing so he actually demonstrated much more than kindness.

The story is a wonderful one - especially at Thanksgiving time. Not only was it a story about the character of this homeless man but it also spoke to the thankfulness of the woman who raised over $350,000 for the man through a GoFundMe page.

There is a deeper story here though. One with eternal ramifications. Hidden just under the surface -  the story of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How much like that woman are all of us - stranded in "the world"? We suddenly come to the realization that we are in trouble . . . in danger. We don't know what we should do. Call for help maybe? Walk through a sinful world in hopes of finding some salvation?

That's when someone walked into her life and gave her hope. Have you or I done that for someone lately? My guess is no. This guy gave everything he had to give some stranger hope for her future. He was her savior when He sacrificed himself and his $20 to give her hope. And gas. Didn't Jesus do the same thing for us?

I'm sure this woman has received more expensive gifts but none of greater value.

^"41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” - Mark 12:41-44
 
And look how grateful the woman was! She started a GoFundMe page and literally told the whole world what this man has done.

Are you a Christian? If you are you have been saved from the penalty of your sin. That should give us hope because the penalty for our sins is death. Yet, have WE gone and told the whole world? No. And why not? Good question. Jesus has COMMANDED us to do so.

This week I challenge us to tell this story of the homeless man who gave his last $20 to help someone else. And then share the Gospel with someone. It's actually easier than you might think. We should share our story of how God saved US. That's OUR $20 worth of gasoline.

⁴⁴ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, ⁴⁶ who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." - Matthew 13:44-46

Homeless Man Gives Last $20 - Washington Post