The Tip - Homeword - September 5

The Tip

This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. —2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Consider the following story:

Years ago, a 10-year old boy approached the counter of a soda shop and climbed onto a stool. “What does an ice cream sundae cost?” he asked the waitress. 

“Fifty cents,” she answered.

The youngster reached deep in his pockets and pulled out an assortment of change, counting it carefully as the waitress grew impatient. She had “bigger” customers to wait on.

“Well, how much would just plain ice cream be?” the boy asked.

The waitress responded with noticeable irritation in her voice, “Thirty-five cents.”

Again, the boy slowly counted his money. “May I have some plain ice cream in a dish then, please?” He gave the waitress the correct amount, and she brought him the ice cream.

Later, the waitress returned to clear the boy’s dish and when she picked it up, she felt a lump form in her throat. There on the counter the boy had left two nickels and five pennies. She realized that he had had enough money for the sundae, but sacrificed it so that he could leave her a tip.^[1]

A generous heart is a rare gift indeed. How often is it easier to hold on to what we think we need instead of remembering to be generous? The child in the story above could easily justify buying a sundae, running over with his favorite toppings and topped with frothy whipped cream and a cherry. After all, he’s just a kid. Nobody expects him to leave a tip. But somewhere, someone taught him to think not only of himself, but of others, and to show that thoughtfulness in a tangible way. Generous living invites those around us to pause long enough to notice something different. It is the way of the believer and it is the way of Christ.

GOING DEEPER:

Generosity, and our posture in giving, is directly related to our relationship with Christ. Take some time today to consider your own willingness to live generously.

FURTHER READING:

1 Corinthians 10:24; Matthew 6:1-4

[1] Adapted from A Lifetime of Success, Pat Williams, Fleming H. Revell

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