TIPPING LIKE JESUS

By Jim Corner

            What kind of tipper are you?  I am a most generous tipper.  I did not inherit this trait, however.  Many of you are aware of the 15% rule on tipping at a restaurant.  My dad believed in the 2% rule and if he could get away with it, the 0% rule!  I know that many tip based on the level of service they receive.  If the server gets their order right the first time, pays attention to any slight additions to the order (such as ‘extra tomatoes’ on the salad), keeps the water or coke or whatever you are drinking full and provides you with plenty of bread; then they will receive a nice tip.  If, on the other hand, the service is lousy the server will pay for it with a reduced tip.

            Have you ever stopped to think that that is the opposite of the way in which our Heavenly Father treats us?  The reality is that when I tip according to the level of service I receive, I am totally unlike my Father.  Let’s stay with the ‘tipping’ analogy a bit further.  Perhaps the server has a Migraine headache and is only at work because she is raising 3 kids without the aid of a husband and she has to work.  Perhaps the server is aware that the boss is about to lay off several workers and they simply cannot afford to lose their job.  Perhaps their mom or dad is lying in a hospital and their mind is on their parent.

            Now I know some people who would not give an inch with any of the scenarios above but listen to this verse in Psalm 103:14: “For He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.”  This verse comes on the heal of several verses that speak of the great love that God has for us and His unbelievable forgiveness.  When we mess up God doesn’t blast us but He takes into consideration that we are weak.  In verse 10 of this Psalm the Bible says that God does not treat us as our sins deserve.  If God gave us the tip we earned, we would all be in more trouble than we could ever escape from. 

            Going back to the server; what if they have no good excuse.  They simply are not doing the best job that they can do.  Should we then slack off on our tipping?  Well, let’s return to the example of God.  Let me ask you several questions:

1.      Do you ever sin?

2.      Do you ever sin and know it is a sin before you do it and still commit the sin?

3.      Are you aware that Jesus had to suffer for your sinfulness?

I need to be very careful here; I am not saying that you can shake your fist in the face of God and as a rebel receive forgiveness.  I am saying that even for those of us who are striving to serve the Lord, we still sin more times than we would care to admit.  How does God deal with us?  Well, according to I John 1:8-10, the Lord continues to forgive those who confess their sins.   God does not place a limit on His forgiveness but He continues to forgive us over and over again, even when our service is not up to par.

            We read in Romans 5:8 that ‘while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly’.  The Lord didn’t wait until we raised our level of service to an acceptable level.  He looked down on us and gave us the ultimate ‘tip’, the sacrifice of His Son.  I sure am glad that my Father in Heaven ‘tips’ differently than my earthly father did.  The next time you go out to eat; when you are ready to lay down your tip follow the example of God.  Your server will be so happy!

©2004 Buckingham Road Church of Christ