The Parable of the Unprepared Plumber

Not too long ago we were in need of the services a plumber. Not knowing any personally, we asked a few people at church if they could recommend somebody. A young man, who my husband had led to the Lord about a year ago, said he knew of one. We called and made an appointment. On the set day and time the doorbell rang. Upon opening the door we were surprised to find a large man standing in the hallway wearing a suit and tie. He informed us that he was the plumber. We let him in and explained the situation to him. He told us that he could fix the problem if he could borrow some tools. He didn't have any!

As I sat working in the living room, for the next five hours waiting for him to finish the job, I heard him ask my husband numerous times for various items: a drill, a saw, some wood, screws, a wrench, etc. I couldn't help but focus on the words, "be prepared". Obviously, this man was not prepared for the job that he came to do. Not only didn't he have the right tools; he didn't have ANY tools at all! What exactly does it mean to be prepared?

What does "being prepared" mean to a Christian and why is it so important? In Ephesians 6 the Bible talks about putting on the whole armour of God. Verse 15 says, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace".

When we go out do we carry tracts with us? What about all the people we have contact with each day. Are we prepared to give them something that contains the gospel message? Do we carry a Bible with us or at least a New Testament in case we have the opportunity to lead someone to Christ?

Do we seek opportunities to witness or do we wait until they come to us? Philip didn't wait when he encountered the Ethiopian eunuch. The Bible says in Acts 8: "Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him:"

Do we run from opportunities to witness, or to them? The Bible says in Proverbs 11:30: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

In our hallway right by the front door we have a little box that we keep stocked with tracts. This is for visitors to use as well as for us. On the outside of the box it says, "Take some tracts, save some souls".

According to Mark 16:15, as Christians, we are to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Are we being wise like the Bible admonishes us to be when it comes to spreading the gospel? Or are we being foolish like our plumber who was unprepared for the job that was set before him. Let's be prepared as we go.

SUSAN TODD

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