My wife jokes after a good dinner, a common occurrence around here, “just
leave the tip on the table.” She could have retired if we paid her what her
meals were worth, but sad to say the only tips we gave her were verbal ones.
Tips on what bike to ride, tips on where to ride, and tips on what to do this
weekend. Tips offered jokingly but well intentioned, as I was usually a key
component in them. But she really earned a real tip, for her cooking and baking
gather rave reviews. But things were not always so, our first Thanksgiving had
the giblets still in the bag, left inside the turkey. Learning to cook with a
microwave 37 years ago was still a new science. Her first fried chicken was so
tough we kept microwaving it more, it didn’t look done, why follow the
directions. And we almost got a hockey puck for dinner. Fortunately cooler
heads prevailed and out we went to eat. It’s always good to have a back up
plan. But within a few months she mastered cooking, with baking her specialty.
And today she has her own recipes, with one ingredient in common-CHOCOLATE!
With the exception of her blueberry muffins, we have peanut butter chocolate
chips, oatmeal chocolate chips, chocolate chocolate chips, and chocolate bars
strategically hidden in the cabinets. Take any recipe, add “add chocolate,” and
it can be found in her kitchen. And I have for our entire marriage obeyed one
of the three great rules, of thou shalt not. Do not tell the cook how to cook!
And it shows on me!
But waiters are hard working people, and underpaid, and under tipped also.
How many old waitresses do you see any more? The attrition rate is high, as
when we go out to eat we expect more than at home. Chocolate optional. And
with fast food to be ordered at the window, then your number called, waiters are
a dying breed. The next generation will probably listen to their grandparents
tell of “when we used to order at the table...” And leaving a tip will have
gone away also, except for a jar at the register for change from your $20.
Change, not scrip. Always less than a dollar.
When working for Mercedes Benz their were remnants of a class of people who
were used to tipping. Not to get better service, but because they appreciated
it. And wanted to acknowledge it. And at Christmas, it was more than cash.
Gift certificates to restaurants, concert tickets, expensive wine, and things
that expressed how much they appreciated your service. I was the man who took
care of their car, just as they had a hairdresser, favorite maitre’d, and
nanny. I was their go to guy for their car, and that was a good thing. But
things were changing, and no one tips anymore. But they sure will complain...We
no longer have servants who serve us, but teen agers who grunt, who sometimes
show no respect, in their defense many aren’t shown respect either, and in a
country that is service oriented, service is lacking. We should have seen it
coming with the advent of penny trays by the register years ago...somehow I
never thought of it as a tip tray as some are today.
The other two thou shalt nots are don’t tell your barber how to cut your
hair, and don’t tell your mechanic how to fix your motorcycle. But it is OK to
tip them, and I still do. Mickey gets anything chocolate from Theresa, and my
barber always gets a tip. Because I appreciate their work. And I want them to
know it. Maybe I should start leaving a tip on the table at home....or more
chocolate.
So these often unappreciated servants if you will, have certain
characteristics. Servants don’t get to ask when, where, how, why, or to who,
they just serve. Many in the church get the wrong idea about Jesus, we are told
he took the form of a man, even though he was God, to serve. They expect him to
be the genie in the lamp, and never consider how he is setting an example for us
of servitude. Few think of servants when they think of God, but Jesus came to
serve. And salvation was the main course, he came to save a dying world, and
reunite us with his father in heaven. Now don’t you think that deserves a tip
or two? And he expects us to give, some may tithe and give 10% grudgingly, he
is more excited about a widow, unknown but to him, that gave her all. An
example set by him, as he gave it all, and all to him we owe. And while we
begrudgingly give 15% to a waiter, God only expects 10%. But really he wants is
us to give, from the heart. A form of worship, a sacrifice. We are told to
give hilariously, opening our pockets as the spirit beckons. Not only for good,
but for bad service too. Sadly I see too many Christians who will preach at a
waiter, then stiff them on their tip. Some representative of Jesus huh? But
giving involves more than money, it means of yourself. Your time, your
resources, your physical labor. And we find that when we give, we receive. But
if you give looking for something you don’t get it. And too many don’t get it,
and get miserable, and quit giving. And wonder why they aren’t blessed?
Missing blessings, maybe start giving without being asked. Matthew 25 tells of
feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, and
visiting those in jail or who are sick. Sometimes the best tips have no table
to leave them on, so leave them on their heart.
So what does a servant do, he serves. And we get to serve a mighty God,
who saved us by grace. It is free, a gift, maybe that is why so many rob God.
No appreciation for what Jesus did for them. But we can pass on what Jesus did
for us in love to others. Go the extra mile, give until it hurts, then give
again. Many times I have given when I could least afford it, and finding out I
could not afford to not leave tip. Or to give. Or to serve. So maybe it’s
brownies, or a little extra money on the table. Maybe it is staying late and
giving someone a ride. Maybe sitting with a homeless person and buying a meal,
and eating with them. It is in giving that we receive, and that we see a side
of Christ we don’t see if we are stingy. For giving tells of the heart
condition, more than words. And if you truly let God be your provider, you will
always have in abundance. What you need. When you need it.
So don’t look for a table to leave the tip on, look for opportunities to
give. Jesus went looking for you and look what he has given us. So much for so
little. And in giving you may show how God loves to give to a lost man. Who
has always given in church, but never received anything in return. Give, the
second syllable of forgive. Maybe the best thing that will ever happen to you,
being forgiven. Now that’s a tip that will fit on any table.
And the most priceless tip is Jesus. And his love. If you aren’t giving
that, you are missing out. Servants are the hardest working people out there,
recognize one today. Who knows, you may be the Bible God chose for them to read
today. Cold milk with a warm brownie. An extra cookie, the last piece of
meatloaf. Give it up for Jesus, he gave it up for you. A tip we cannot afford
to pass up. Just don’t leave it only on the table.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com