In November 2014, a couple asked a waiter named Carlos for a dish that wasn’t on the menu. As former restaurant workers themselves, they were impressed by him and how he fulfilled their recipe request. The man asked Carlos what he would do if he had the money and time he needed. “I work two jobs. I don’t really have time,” he replied. He did, however, let on that his car needed a $1,500 repair job. Later, Carlos found a $1,500 tip on the table. He said of the generous couple, “Thank God for you and for what you’ve done. . . . It couldn’t have come at a much better time, so I’m eternally grateful.”
Paul called the Corinthians to the “gracious act of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7). The poverty-stricken church in Jerusalem needed funds (2 Corinthians 8:4; Acts 11:27-30). So the apostle appealed to the affluent Gentile church in Corinth to generously support their needy Jewish brothers and sisters in the Holy City. As an example, he lifted up the churches in Macedonia who had given out of their own poverty—amid persecution and other struggles. By selflessly giving what they had, they reflected the gracious, generous ways of Jesus, who “became poor, so that by his poverty he could make [us] rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
The Corinthian believers were known for their gifts, the spiritual kind. Paul was now calling them to imitate Christ and pour out the financial gifts he had first requested in his previous letter (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Their lavish giving would show their true love for God and others.
You might not be able to leave a generous tip today. But may you give generously as you acknowledge what it truly means to be “eternally grateful” for what Jesus has done for you.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 17:1-26
More:
Read Philippians 4:15-20 and see how one of the churches in Macedonia—the church at Philippi—blessed Paul with its generosity.
Next:
How is generosity a sign of spiritual maturity? How has Jesus inspired you to live a more generous life?
Gary Shultz on September 19, 2015 at 7:23 am
To me, a tip is one thing we usually can do to show appreciation, thank you for a job well done. Generosity is a state of mind where we always look for opportunities to bless as God has blessed us, and I still think a tip can be part of that. I hope we are lead by God to disperse with forethought and spiritual guidance what we have been given. I also hope I continue to understand that it all comes from our Father and we continue to used by God to bless others by being generous. Thank you.
Tom Felten on September 19, 2015 at 2:56 pm
So true, Gary. We’ve been so blessed by our generous God, may we bless others to glorify Him and love others well!
Adriel L. on September 20, 2015 at 2:37 am
Thanks for sharing Gary! I come from a frugal background so I’ve always been reluctant to tip, but your words have given me new perspective on the act of tipping and now I see that, indeed, tipping can be an act of love to whomever is rendering a service unto me. I hope to tip joyfully and generously in the future. Have a wonderful day!
Winn Collier on October 3, 2015 at 4:32 pm
I love every story of generosity, it seems so true to the way of Jesus.