We were about 10 years old when Barry and I were walking back from a
morning spent in the EJ Korvettes toy department. It was huge, but we knew
every aisle, and had spent precious time making wish lists if we ever had
money. But with only 25 cents between us, and hungry, we decided to stop at
Snuffy, Jr.’s and get some of their killer glazed donuts. Called killer because
it was rumored they had actually killed someone. Now at 5 cents each, or 25
cents for a half dozen, we were prepared to spend all our money, when standing
in line we noticed a 20 dollar bill on the ground. We had never seen one
before, but was pretty sure this was what they looked like, and quickly picked
it up, but felt guilty because it wasn’t ours. So we walked to the cashier and
told her what we had found. It turned out to belong to the woman ahead of us in
line, who was so grateful she bought us a dozen donuts, and we left feeling
pretty good-until we ate the dozen, and still had our 25 cents. Which we
quickly bought two Cokes out of the machine at the Esso station next door with,
and still had a nickel left after all the excitement. Our first real lesson in
economics, and also in honesty. We had heard that crime doesn’t pay, but
learned that day that honesty does. A lesson we would have repeated to us over
the years.
The other day a strange thing happened to me when I checked out, the
cashier actually counted out the change, and handed me the coins first so they
wouldn’t slide out of my hand. I was further in shock when I thanked her, and
she said, “you’re welcome.” And other memories were stirred of values, and
money, courtesy, and doing the right thing. Now my career at Sears taught me
many things, and my first real lesson was on a hot Saturday afternoon. Security
was holding a man who had walked out of the store with a portable air
conditioner without paying. He claimed the salesman had told them they were
truly portable, and if he could carry it out of the store, he would give it to
him free. So he did, and when the salesman was questioned confessed he had, and
the store gave the man the AC unit-no charge, and apologized for the
inconvenience. We soon wanted to go and get our own.... a mistake I am sure
they would never repeat.
Customer service was always manned by a junior manager, and a new one, Al
was on call that night. As we walked through on our 15 minute break that always
lasted 45 minutes, a man and his son were explaining to Al how their toboggan
was defective. It took both father and son to hold all the pieces, as it had
hit a tree, and they wanted their money back. Al took one look at it, smiled
and gave them their money back-we were shocked as trees now were a reason for
defects, but again Sears stepped up, and the man left with his son, sure to
return again...
The catalog department was all a buzz because a woman had tried to return
80 cents she was given too much in change. She had told the cashier about it,
and wanted to return it, to be honest, yet was refused. Too much paperwork
involved, they already had to account or the missing 80 cents, and didn’t want
to account for being 80 cents over, so she was told to keep it and she did.
Only when I got home that night, did my mother wonder how Sears could make any
money giving away 80 cents so carelessly, and then I knew my mother was the
source of the story. Another lesson learned in honesty, and values. A lesson
in the value of the dollar, even if it was only 80 cents.
So when I rode home from eating 99 cents fish tacos, and not sure if I had
given the cashier a 20 or a 10, she had given me $10 change, I wrestled with
it. And the next Friday rode to Bird Rock again and ordering my usual three,
told the same girl that I think they had given me too much change last Friday,
and I wanted to return the $10. To my surprise she took it, explaining how they
had come up $10 short that night, and wondered if someone was stealing, and they
were grateful I was so honest. And I felt good having done the right thing,
even though $10 to an unemployed man was a fortune. I had learned a more
valuable lesson, and done the right thing. I could have used that money, but
realized I didn’t want to sell my soul, my reputation, and couldn’t live with
myself for keeping $10 I knew wasn’t mine. Only $10 you say, who would notice
that today? I ‘m glad I did, and so were they, what price would you sell your
soul for?
Zacheus was a tax collector in the times of Jesus. Tax collectors were at
best dishonest, and never would have given back, but would have certainly
overcharged. Until one day, when he was in a tree, as Jesus was approaching,
was called to and told he was to have Jesus for dinner that night...by Jesus.
Now this really upset the crowd, “look this man eats with sinners.” And Zacheus
was certainly recognized as one. But in response Zac replied I am a sinner, and
will give back two times what I have taken from the poor, and to those I
overcharged-4 times! All over one invite to dinner, by Jesus. His heart had
been changed by a simple confrontation, more of a conversation. And Jesus tells
the crowd “today salvation has come tot this man, for the Son of Man has come to
seek and save the lost.” No altar call, no four spiritual laws, no Romans Road,
no catechism. Just Jesus. And His appearance changed the man’s heart, giving
him a whole new value system. For if the love of money is the root of all evil,
this man found salvation from sin in Jesus, something no amount of money could
purchase. He learned true value that afternoon, while stuck in a tree. Even
willing to repay. He had heard about Jesus, and wanted to see what it was all
about...and got more than he bargained for. He had finally done the right
thing...and his reward was salvation.
So many times I have been tempted, and tried to do the right thing. But
greed or the fact that no one is watching will further tempt. Zac had a great
view from up in the tree, he could see what was going on. And we sometimes
forget God can see all that is going on from above. But as he met Jesus, his
heart was changed, and he repented. He was Barry and I at Snuffy’s, he was my
mother taking back the change, and he was Al giving back money on a damaged
tobaggan. But in each case a decision was made of to do the right thing, even
if it cost something. And it cost Jesus everything...eventually being sold out
for 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave. What is your breaking point?
What amount tempts you so much you will deny Christ and do the wrong thing? We
were all once Zacheus looking for something, but like Zac found out that
something was really a someone. And He has changed our lives. As the old
saying goes dollar to donuts, can we say we will be found innocent on judgment
day? There is an audience waiting to testify against us, but only in Christ
will we be found innocent-as there is no evidence available. For two little
kids it was donuts, an overheated man an air conditioner, and a father and son a
sled. To my mother it was 80 cents-only 80 cents? What price is your salvation
worth? What do you hold valuable and hold onto? Come down from your tree and
meet Jesus today. Let the change in you be counted to everyone who is looking,
and those who are listening. Today you will tested, tried in the court of
public opinion...what truth will you stand on? Is it worth fish tacos, donuts,
or 80 cents to let your witness deny Jesus? Or will you let your light shine?
What is valuable to you will rise up when tested. Jim Elliot once said “he is
no fool who gives away what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” Zac
found that out that day from a tree. Where you learn it is up to you. Right
now is a great time...and I’ll bring the donuts. And no, you can’t borrow my
sled. Call it getting your 80 cents worth. What are you holding onto that you
can’t afford to lose? Come for dinner stay for life. Fish tacos anyone?
love with compassion,
MIke
matthew25biker.blogspot.com