Measuring Up at the Gas Pump?

06/28/08

Author: John Beeson

So you drive up to the pump, sigh a deep sigh, put the nozzle in the tank and squeeze gas into your tank and cash out of your pocket. The price of gas is bad enough these days… it’s hard to imagine that gas stations would be audacious enough to scam you out of more money. But that is exactly what is happening in my home state of New Jersey, it turns out. Out of 1,023 gas stations that were inspected in the state in a recent three-day operation, 350 were fined for having violated inspections, and 62 of those were fined for having inaccurately calibrated pumps which dispensed fewer gallons than paid for.

Near the end of Ezekiel, the prophet dreams about the restoration of Israel, and gives a word from the Lord on what seems a very petty matter:

"You shall have just balances, a just ephah, and a just bath. The ephah and the bath shall be of the same measure, the bath containing one tenth of a homer, and the ephah one tenth of a homer; the homer shall e the standard measure. The shekel shall be twenty gerahs; twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels shall be your mina" (45:10-12).

In the midst of instructions about the restoration of Israel to a new glory, why would God be so clear about how the details of a measuring system? Because measurement is a fundamental justice issue. And not only is it a justice issue, but it is a justice issue with very little accountability. It is the seller, not the buyer who provides the measurement device; it is the educated and the rich who wield the power to be just or to be dishonest.

So too does the pastor. As the spiritual leader of the flock, the spiritual calibrator is firmly in the hands of you, the pastor. And what is even more troublesome is that, as a pastor, you are in the unique position of being charged with your employer’s spiritual care (the congregation). As such, false spiritual calibration is doubly tempting: you want to keep your deceptions hidden both because you want to keep your job and also because you want to maintain your spiritual authority. But, as we are all too aware, these deceptions not only have brought down innumerable leaders, they have irreparably damaged the souls of far too many pastors while simultaneously damaging the Christian witness to the world.

So, what is the calibration like in your heart? Who is paying full price for .93 of a gallon? Your employer? Your family? Your flock? Do a spiritual weights and measures check today. Better yet, have a friend do one on you.

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