April 22, 2024 — The Coffee Shop Devotions: A Ghetto Latte – A Poor Man/Woman’s Drink Or Just Cheating The System?

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi.” Matthew 23:1-7

I have heard about a variation of the iced latte, known as the “bootleg latte”, “ghetto latte”, or “poor man’s latte”. This coffee drink is an iced espresso ordered in a larger than normal cup and then filled up with free milk from the condiment station. The drink has spawned debate at coffee shops where an iced espresso is considerably cheaper than an iced latte. Here is a comment posted by one of the famous coffee shop baristas on a blog:

“The “ghetto-latte” is ordering any size Iced Americano, with no water and half ice (This….drink is an Iced Venti, no water, half ice, Americano). (You) then take the drink and go to the condiments bar and add (your) own half and half. Now my problem with that is… these 2 drinks cost

$4.82 (entered as iced grande and venti americanos) The EXACT drink… (with all the shots and milk) are called Iced Quad Venti Breve Latte and an Iced Triple Grande Breve Latte. Venti (and Grande) Americanos come with 4 and 3 shots (respectively) of espresso and then water (and ice).

Lattes are 2 shots (and 2, respectively) espresso, milk and Ice. Additional shots are $.55. Half and Half (breve) is also an additional charge. The cost of those 2 drinks (as Lattes) is $10.24 or so!!!!”

You can see how someone who works at a coffee shop may be just a little miffed at someone who knowingly is trying to cheat the system. Now, I am the first to lament the cost of drinks at my local coffee establishments, but it is not just the “well known” national shops – some of the local shops are just as expensive.

As I look around our churches today, I wonder why people think they can cheat the system when it comes to being a follower of Jesus. There are too many people who think if they come to church “once in a while”, or mail in a check occasionally, that this is enough to call themselves a “Christian”. It is true, to call yourself a Christian, you need only proclaim faith in Jesus.

But to be a follower requires more than cursory attendance, the occasional contribution, and the letter of membership. I am sorry to tell you this, but if you cannot remember the last time you went to church, then you are a “Bootlegger Christian” – someone who is trying to circumvent what Jesus wants most – your time. And why would you want to avoid Jesus? He will remember you – so why don’t you “remember him” and honor him with your presence?

Pastor Dave