Jared Wilson on Astonishing Generosity

Jared Wilson at the Thinklings linked to my post on Astonishing Generosity and talked about a way he recently practiced it.  I hesitate to share this with you because it is a testimony and it does make Jared look good (which, though I've never met him, from his writings I think he must be a really great guy), and I know he didn't want that.  Furthermore, I don't want to start any kind of chain reaction where bloggers start trying to top one another's stories, but Jared really hits the nail on the head when he says this:

Sunday evening, Becky and I were dining out, and our waiter messed
up our order in a few ways. He was very nervous for having done so. He
ended up giving us a free appetizer and a free dessert. And even so, I
could tell he was fearful of the compensatory repurcussions of his
mistakes. I decided to give him a 50% tip, because even if he didn’t
know we were Christians, I wanted him to be astonished by grace after
we’d left.

I don’t say that to brag but merely to encourage you to think of
small, practical ways you can extend grace to people. Not necessarily
to “evangelize” or further your or the Church’s reputation, but just
because it is a Jesus sort of thing to do.

Jared's story reminds me of a John Maxwell story that I think I have shared here before.  He was in a diner with someone and it seems to me they ordered a pie and coffee, a really simple and inexpensive order.  The waitress was having a bad day, seemed a little surly and offered astonishingly bad service.  If the bill was $10 Maxwell must have tipped $20 and pulled her aside and said something to the effect of "I can see you are having a bad day and I am sorry, I hope this cheers you up a bit."

The reason I like this is because I was encouraging a Sunday School class to be generous tippers one time and someone piped in that they will if they earn it.  I just pointed out that this is the opposite of grace - a real act of grace would be to tip someone well whose service has not been so hot.

I also understand the economics of this and don't want to make this a law.  Christians should tip well and appropriately but let's face it, most of us don't have the disposable income to be an astonishing tipper every time we get a meal.  But I do think we need to always tip on the generous side of the norm and then look for opportunities to tip astonishingly. 

And Jared is right, simply because it is what Jesus said we should do, whether we get to mention Jesus or our church.  But I also can't help but feeling that if we take Pratt's advice and become regulars at certain establishments, and if we become the kind of customers they like to wait on, that we will have opportunities to witness.

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Comments

[Steve Sensenig]

I like the fact that you said you didn't want people trying to top that story, and at the same time, I'm really glad you wrote this. I certainly won't try to top it, but I will say that I, too, have had the experience of tipping in this way, and it is such a blessing.

I used to be part of a church the printed up "tip envelopes" for people to use in restaurants. The envelope, of course, had the church name, address, and directions on it. I never used them, because to me that sends the message that we just want people to come to "our church". But tipping in the way you have mentioned, even when you don't know how it's received, or how much it blesses that person, is a blessing in itself. And there's the whole "giving in secret" thing, too. :)

For a fun variation on this endeavor, tip astonishingly, leave before the waiter gets the tip, and then find a window where you can watch their reaction without being seen by them! ;) hehe

steve :)

[TOR Hershman]

He was probably nervous 'cause he was on dope.

Stay on Groovin' Safari,
TOR

[Bruce Gerencser]

Great story and a great reminder that we as Christians need to be gracious givers. My wife and I consider it a real joy to tip well beyond expectations. We are not always able but there are a few times in the year when we are flush with money and it is enjoyable to give it away.

Sadly, far too many Christians are cheapskates. My one daughter-in-law is a waitress. Sundays are worst tip day of the week. (and often time the customers are the most demanding) The crowd is clearly the after Church crowd.

Some object to the rap given to Christians......but unfortunately we far too often deserve it.

Bruce

[Jared]

David, thanks so much for the link.
Honestly, I hesitated to share my experience, but I just thought it a valid (and recent) illustration of practical grace. And you, or the person you're citing, is correct that tipping generously if the waiter "deserves" it is all well and good, but does not meet the definition of grace.

Btw, my last name is Wilson, not Bridges. It's not the first time I've been confused with Jared Bridges, and I understand he's a good blogger, although I've never read his stuff (I don't think).

[David Wayne]

Jared - so sorry about that - I changed it. I know your name, really I do. I read both of you guys so I had a temporary slip. Mark Bertrand just sent me an email pointing out my naming faux pas!

[Rick]

As a blogger, I get caught up too much in theology. I'm proud because I think I've done well at avoiding (for the most part) the watch-dog trap. But this post reminds me of the power of personal testimony.

I'll add a hearty amen to the principle stated here and simply suggest adding "purposeful consumerism". That is, in addition to being generous, if possible, it's good to frequent the same places to further develop relationships ... ah, but only do that after you've mastered the generous part. ;- )