Upside-down Evangelism
By Dan Betzer

Jesus told us that in reaching folks in His name, we were to bless them first.

I receive letters, calls and e-mails from missionaries around the world. I got one the other day that truly amused me. He wrote:

"I just saw a large electric sign attached to the upper floor of a building here last week. English is rarely spoken or written, although there are many English-speaking people here. This particular business wanted to attract these folks.

Their sign was beautifully crafted, colorfully painted and of the kind that is illuminated from the inside by neon lighting for a brilliant night-time effect. The sign was about five feet high and thirty feet long, standing out in stark contrast to the brown of its host building and surrounding desert.

It was just perfect. Except for one thing...the people who erected it, not speaking English themselves, had erected it UPSIDE DOWN."

I think we Christians get our personal evangelism upside down all too many times. Jesus told us that in reaching folks in His name, we were to bless them first. Well, we want to preach, to grab them by the lapels, get right in their face and preach a five-point message.

Jesus said, no, bless them first.

Mike Modica is a pastor friend of mine in Florida. His church recently took up an offering and the next day he took it to the mayor and said, "Our church wanted you to have this in your care for the city's children. And if there is anything else we can do for you, just let us know."

Well, the mayor now thinks Mike hung the stars and moon, and can't do enough for him My goodness, here was a church not asking the city to do something for it, but rather how the church could bless the city! Try that in your personal evangelism. Go mow somebody's lawn, take them dinner, don't even scream at their barking dog. You might find it easy to win them when the sign's RIGHT SIDE UP.

cbn