Ethics: Leaving a Gospel Tract for a Tip

What would you do Wednesday!

I’m sure many Christians have handed out gospel tracts. There are a variety of tracts and some are even made to look like money. There is a million dollar bill tract which, of course, does not look real, but there are a few in lower denominations such at $10 and $20 bills that look like real money at first glance.

Usually, these $10 and $20 gospel tracts look like a bill folded in half with a gospel message on the inside. Today’s scenario will involve a $10 gospel tract being left at a restaurant as a tip. Sometimes people leave real money for a tip (as they should) along with a gospel tract, but when the tract looks like actual money the “tipping” may become questionable.

So what had happened was…

You are out eating with a fellow church member after Sunday morning worship service. This friend has just discovered the $10 gospel tract and thinks it’s the coolest thing in the world. However, you do not yet know about your friends new found excitement for this tract until after you’ve eaten and paid.

The bill comes and the total cost for both of you is about $30 after the meal, drinks and dessert. As you both start to pay your friend says that he will take care of the tip.

“Great!” you say as you thank him.

While walking to your cars your friend excitedly reveals to you the “coolest gospel tract” he’s ever seen. He shows you the fake, folded $10 bill and explains how attention grabbing it would be for sharing the gospel.

You ask if he has ever used one yet. He says, “Yep! I just used one to leave the tip.”

“Did you leave any real money along with the tract?” you ask.

Your friend replies, “Nah, because the Waitress is going to be so surprised when she finds and reads the gospel which is infinitely more valuable than mere a $10 bill.”

What would you do at that moment?

Tell your friend what a great idea he had.

Ask why he didn’t leave two tracts so the waitress could share one.

Go back inside and personally hand the waitress a real tip and apologize.

Go back inside and give her a $20 gospel tract instead.

Or…

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About the author

Mark is a Christian, husband and father. A businessman by day; he attends seminary in the off hours working toward an M.Div. More-> Mark is a Christian, husband and father. A businessman by day; he attends seminary in the off hours working toward an M.Div. More->

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