How does the after-church crowd tip?” I asked the waitress. If my question lacked subtlety, her response possessed even less. “They’re the worst!” she said emphatically. “None of us wants to work the lunch shift on Sunday.”
That dialog helped me understand my pastor’s comment as he dismissed us following a service. “You are now entering the mission field,” he reminded us. “You are representing Jesus. If you go out to eat, tip generously.”
In many cultures, tipping is a tradition that shows appreciation for a service rendered. But in my country, tipping at restaurants is not just a nice gesture—it’s how the waiter or waitress makes a living! Yet I’ve heard stories of people who have left gospel tracts in lieu of a tip. Hmm. Why would a waiter want to serve a God who has followers like that?
In 2 Corinthians 9, the apostle Paul addressed the issue of generous giving. The context is about a wealthy church in Corinth giving to a church that had very little. But the larger principle applies to individuals, because Paul made the gift personal. “You must each decide in your heart how much to give,” he told them (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Generosity ought to be one of the defining characteristics of believers in Jesus. That doesn’t mean we’re careless with our money, but stinginess reveals a deep-seated poverty of spirit. God promises to reward those who are generous. “You will be enriched in every way so you can always be generous,” Paul noted (2 Corinthians 9:11).
“A person who is nice to you but is not nice to the waiter is not a nice person,” wrote humorist Dave Barry. As followers of Christ, we’re not called to be “nice.” But we’re called to be good, to be loving, and to be generous in Jesus’ name
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Jeremiah 36:1-32
More:
What keeps me from being generous? What does Jesus say in Luke 12:15 about greed? What does Acts 10:1-2 tell us about the military leader Cornelius? What do we learn about God’s nature in Acts 10:30-31?
Next:
What are some ways you can be generous? Who can you bless today with a specific, generous act?
pjp on May 25, 2011 at 3:56 am
it’s a joy to be generous.
daleproulx on May 25, 2011 at 4:55 am
I’ve long seen tipping as a justice issues, “the laborer is worth their wages.”
winn collier on May 25, 2011 at 6:46 am
The absolute worst is the guy who would leave a tract as the tip. No money. Just the piece of paper “explaining” the gospel. Unfortunately, I think the stinginess explained more than the words.
tim gustafson on May 25, 2011 at 7:02 am
It truly is more blessed to give than to receive. Not ostentatiously, of course, but generously. And just for the record, I tipped quite well that day. : -)
GChoo on May 25, 2011 at 11:04 am
Today’s devotion is really food for thought. I like the saying from the humorist Dave Berry, it really make sense.
I have never thought about tipping as a way of being generous. I used to think the more i tipped, it means that i do really appreciate the good service provided, and to encourage the waiter/waitress to keep up with their good service.
I am really appalled by christians leaving a christian tract instead of money which definitely doesn’t put God in the right light.
Tim, thanks. I have learned to look at generosity in another perspective.
tim gustafson on May 25, 2011 at 11:08 am
I have also learned that tipping can be insulting in certain cultures. So I guess you really have to be aware of the situation. But I’m learning it’s never wrong to cultivate a spirit of generosity.
OnMyWayHome on May 25, 2011 at 6:29 pm
My Mom was a waitress for years did well as one as her words of kindness and friendship made others feel good as they left the restaurant. As for tips, she did get many and she was tipped well as I saw them when I was a young teenager watching my Mom from afar. What did get me when she went to another location many of her customers followed her mainly for her friendship with one another. I still remember those days, thank you again for another friendly reminder.
AManofGod on May 25, 2011 at 10:52 pm
It is amazing how God brings a topic to light at a time when it’s most needed by us. I had an instance today where a person from my past asked me for a large sum of money. The person knew I had the money and could afford to give it to them. The person also had the money in their own possession but wanted to get it from me because they felt I wouldn’t “miss it.” In my past I was very free with all my possessions and God always blessed me with much more so I never worried about things like money. In this case, however, I was angered. I said “NO” in clear terms and told the person to NOT ask me for money again.
Was I wrong…..or was I being tested…and failed?
AManofGod
tim gustafson on May 26, 2011 at 6:56 am
ManofGod, my instincts tell me that you showed discernment here. There are always those who would rather not pull their own weight. Rewarding someone generously because of work they are doing is one thing. Giving to another who does not even need it is entirely another.
AManofGod on May 26, 2011 at 11:33 am
Thank you Pastor Tim. I feel the same way but wanted to ask someone (i.e. third party) if I was acting in accordance with The Word. I was not always a good steward of what God gave me, but I have made it a point to be that and more in my life from now on.
Thanks again,
AManofGod