Splutter, splutter, splutter, STOP.

That’s the sound of a car running out of fuel.

What will happen if Europe runs out of energy?

People in Europe don’t want to find out. But they worry that they might. Russia and Ukraine are still at war. Most of the world’s nations oppose this war, including many in Europe. But Europe gets a lot of its oil and natural gas from Russia. And Russia is starting to say, “No more for you!”

Russia has already majorly shrunk the amount of natural gas, oil, and oil products going to Europe. What if officials cut it off all the way?

What’s a European to do?

Save, save, save.

“Europe needs to be ready,” says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “To make it through the winter . . . we need to save gas to fill our gas storages faster.”

Europe scrambles to get energy from somewhere else. Meanwhile, officials say, “Take shorter showers! Turn down the heat! Make the indoor pool a little colder! Turn off the lights!”

The Netherlands’ government urges showers of no more than five minutes. Officials tell people to use shades to block sunlight and fans instead of air conditioning. They suggest air drying laundry. Some places in France go without night streetlights. Offices and stores in Spain cannot set their thermostats too low in summer or too high in winter. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez asked office workers to ditch neckties to keep cool.

Do you remember a story in the Bible about saving up for hard times?

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. — Proverbs 13:11