Gum Chewers Aren’t Trying Very Hard To Be Saved.
You know what makes me mad? You know what is about as disgusting as finding toenail clippings on the church floor?
Gum chewers in church, that’s what! I saw 37 Quail-heads chewing gum in church last Sunday. Now what is that all about? It was like a plague. I would ask where their Mama was, but some of their Mamas were chewing gum too.
In school, the teacher always tells you to spit out your gum. Why then is it OK to chew it in God’s house? My mama told me it was a sign of disrespect to chew gum in church. She made me spit it out. So did my pastor.
When folks chew gum, they do it for, pleasure, for relaxation or other personal reasons, I’m sure. Gum chewers are found everywhere. They are on the street, in their house, in their car, at the store, at the game, at a play, at a movie, at a race or watching T.V.
Gum chewing seems to be a spectator activity. It’s what they do, when they don’t want to do anything. It’s what they do when they just want to watch and not participate.
Let talk about church right here.
How many visitors that sit in your church and chew gum, have you ever seen come down to the altar and get the Holy Ghost? Think about that for a minute. Not many if any, I’m sure.
How many have you seen worship like they should, with gum in their mouth?
How many have you seen talk in tongues with gum in their mouth?
How many do you see in the prayer room with gum in their mouth?
How many do you see testify with gum in their mouth?
When folks come to church and chew gum, there body language says they are coming for the show. They are not really intending to be part of the service. They will be happy to watch.
Some are not even chewing discretely either. They chomp with the gusto of a hound dog.
Show me the real worshippers in your church. Point them out. Do they have gum in their mouth? I didn’t think so. Let me see your prayer warriors and the folks that say ‘amen’ during the preaching. Do you see any gum there? No? I rest my case.
Gum chewers aren’t trying very hard to be saved. They might be trying to double their pleasure and double their fun, but they sure won’t get much out of church. They won’t sing, they won’t pray, they won’t say amen, but they sure will chomp.
Now, if the church members all chew gum, then don’t be surprised if the visitors don’t have any respect for God’s House either.
Remember the old poem?
The gum-chewing student
And cud-chewing cow
Look quite alike
But they’re different, somehow,
And what is the difference?
I see it all now —-
It’s the intelligent look
On the face of the cow!
Now, go thy way and chew no more. And… whatever you do, when you are done chewing your gum, don’t stick it under the pew.
