We Do Brakes Too! (1 Corinthians 9:22)

For many years, I have been taking my cars to a tire shop that is across the street from my office. A few years ago, one of the managers told me, “You know, we do brakes too!” Since it was time to change the brake pads, I thought, “Why not? After all, I’m here and these guys have always done a good job on my tires.” Big mistake!

From the moment I drove the car out of the shop, I knew something was wrong. There was a constant squeaking that grew worse. I was told that it would go away, but it didn’t. I brought it back and they agreed to “polish the brake pads”. While that initially did take care of the squeaking, by the end of the day it returned. Finally after several more visits, they agreed to completely replace the brake pads and redo the entire job. It did solve the problem and I resolved to never again bring my car for brake pads to this tire shop.

One stop shopping.

We see this with so many different storefronts. Fast food restaurants expand their menus to offer something for everyone. Supermarkets now offer in-store pharmacies and banks. Even some churches are expanding their services, some offering online bulletin boards advertising services as diverse as child care and landscaping. Other churches offer counseling services, art galleries, musicals, or sport clubs. These are all good but the mission of the Church is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And anything that takes our attention away from this mission is wrong.

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul understood the importance of being all things to all people, a one stop resource for spiritual needs. But his goal was always to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with whomever he encountered. He used his background as a Pharisee, his occupation as a tentmaker, and his Roman citizenship to identify and relate to nearly the entire known world. And he did this only to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We need to have a similar attitude. We can be try to be all things to all people, but it is only to bring glory to God and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ-the one and only stop for our soul.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.