A Pound of Salt
July 15
Let your conversation be … seasoned with salt, so that you may know
how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6
Neil had been looking for ways to witness to his neighbors. So when he
saw one of them using a rickety stepladder to remove a broken tree limb, he
grabbed one of his sturdy work ladders and headed over to help.
“Hey, Jeff ? I saw you using that old ladder and decided I couldn’t let you
do that when I have a much safer one. Here, let me help.” And with that, he set
up his six-foot fiberglass stepladder, positioned it where Jeff could safely reach
the big limb, and said, “Go ahead, I’ll hold it for you.”
Jeff asked one of his sons to lift the end of the heavy limb to remove pres-
sure at the cut so the saw wouldn’t bind. Neil, trying to help, told the young
man how to lift the limb. When instruction failed to bring the desired results,
Neil grabbed the limb and held it aloft, showing the young man what he’d
meant.
The limb was removed and dragged away. Neil took his ladder and returned
home, believing he had just shared the love of Christ.
Two days later, he met the son while walking, and when he spoke, the boy
did not answer. Disturbed, he asked what the problem was. The young man
admitted he had been embarrassed when Neil had taken over.
Neil had done the opposite of what he had intended.
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Too much salt tastes worse than none. Our best intentions, if not carefully
considered, can bring harm. Neil’s offer of the ladder, though well-intended,
exuded arrogance.
In his spontaneity, he hadn’t thought out how best to approach the oppor-
tunity. His desire to help was good, but he was ill advised in taking control of
circumstances. Instead of a dash of salt, he dumped out the whole shaker.
Our actions need filtered through the question, How will what I do affect
others?
What we do in the Lord’s name is meant to have a profound, positive
effect. We must take care to season and not saturate.
Prayer
“Lord, I never want to offend where I intend to show
people Your love. Help me listen for Your guidance
instead of rushing in ahead of You. Amen.”
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