Generosity

I greet you in Jesus’ precious name! It is Sunday morning, the 10th of August, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go to 2 Corinthians 9:7:”So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” I want to say to you today that I read a beautiful article written by an elderly pastor from America, a man who I respect greatly, and I’m just going to read it to you. This is what it says:”Are you aware of what waiters and waitresses say about the Christians they serve? Do you have any idea how much they dread waiting on our tables in restaurants after church on Sundays or any other day, when we go in groups with big Bibles under our arms? We gobble up the food asking for this favour and that favour, seldom pausing long enough to smile or say, “Thank you”. That’s bad enough, but when we leave a tip, that is more of an insult than a generous expression of gratitude! Just last week a waiter informed me that the place where he works has the toughest time getting a full crew of waiters who wait on tables on Sundays. “We’d all rather work late on Friday and Saturday nights, week after week, than work Sunday afternoons,” He said. When I asked, ”Why?” He told me, ”Because Christians are usually loud. They often lack good table manners, and they are stingy with the tips.” The waiter who spoke to me is a Christian. He’s on our side and he’s embarrassed! He says that he has a rough time talking to the crew about Christ after the place closes at night. They give him the cynical, ”You’ve got to be kidding!” response, that comes after six or eight Christ followers walk away, leaving a Christian tract or a one-dollar bill or maybe just the tract. Sometimes neither at all!If you’re among the thoughtful, the gracious, the kind who leave a full 15% or more, keep it up, may your tribe increase, but if you’re the type who falls into the tightfisted and less than thoughtful category, how about thinking of your witness as something more than a Bible in your pocket and words out of your mouth. Sometimes it’s what comes out of your pocket after something has gone into your mouth, and I’m not referring to a tract. Listen, it’s possible to give away and become richer. It is possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich by watering others he waters himself. (Proverbs 11:24-25). Come on Christian, loosen up! If you can afford to eat out, you can also handle a healthy tip. Maybe all you needed was a shot in the arm.”Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day and don’t forget to tip generously,Goodbye.