Just recently the New York Knicks won the NBA championship. I wasn’t paying attention. I’m a football guy, not that there’s anything wrong with basketball. I just wasn’t looking. But something caught my eye. 

 

There was a fan, who, after the win, on her way home decided that she was going to steal a trash bin the city of New York had bought specifically for the event. 

 

Someone stole something in New York City! Shock! Amazement! Yawn…

 

Here’s what caught my attention though: she’s wearing the jersey of her team. She is literally a supporter of the New York Knicks, and by extension the city they represent. But instead of, I don’t know, cleaning up trash, she emptied a trash bin out and stole from her city. 

 

So, in what capacity is she supporting her team? 

 

The answer is she’s not. She’s there when they win. She’s there when it suits her. She’s there when she can get something out of it: entertainment, good vibes, a free trash can for the sports room in her house.

 

If you look you can find a picture of her smiling with the trash can on the subway. She has no remorse. She sees nothing wrong with her actions. 

 

I hope we can all see the problem with theft, but what I see is something else.

 

How many of us wear our Jesus jersey but are detractors, even when we claim to be supporters. How many Christians are fans of Jesus but don’t follow Him, His example? And as long as they can get some entertainment, good vibes or get out of jail free card how many Christians take whatever they can get, and think nothing of giving back? 

 

For this woman, I don’t believe she actually cares about her team. And even though I’ve never spoken a word to her, her actions have said more than enough. This is what Jesus meant when He said “y’all are the salt of the earth (Matt 5:13)” and  “let y’all's light shine before others (Matt 5:14).” What we do will be seen. The world will know whose jersey we wear and they will understand, without ever speaking a word, what we are really all about. 

 

Go be the salt. Go be the light for the world. Even if you don’t think so, the world is watching. 

 

Stay salty my brothers and sisters.