Cheapskates.

Today, as I walked to the back of the store to fetch some milk to replinish what was starting out as a busy morning I noticed something. I noticed of the 12 or so people who were sitting in the store every single one of them was either sitting and reading the Bible or they were meeting with another person reading the Bible. One would think/hope my first reaction would be to be encouraged... sadly not the case.

Rather, it went a little something like this... "DANG! I bet we've only made 2.50 in tips despite being busy. A dollar from Tammy, a dollar from Ron, and the leftover change from that lady who allways gets skinny chia teas."

So I went back to the counter milk in tow. I took a quick look in the tip jar and I was right almost to the cent. (2.67)

This story made me realize two things:

1.) I can be quite selfish and greedy.

2.) The way people use their money reflects what they value.

Christians (often present company included) are the quite quick to throw money at "super spiritual" things like missionaries, ministry staff who are funded by support, short terms missions, Billy Grahm crusades, etc..

Yet when it comes to something so simple as dropping your leftover .32 cents into the tip jar we just don't do it. Sure, there are a lot of people who stiff baristas on tips... but it seems that the Christian cross-section of the population is proportionately worse. There's a reason that none of the baristas that work for me want to work Thursday night. It's because they know all the campus Chritian groups wil be comming in afterwards and will be super needy, probably buy very little, and then leave even less tip. Nobody wants to work super hard and not have anything to show for it.

So, how people use their money really does reflect what they value. We as Christians value things that are "super spiritual," distant, and involves almost no personal sacrfice/work. We often don't value the people who are right in front of us. The people who really do notice when you have your "accountability" meeting or bible study and dont' order anything or at best buy something but dont' even leave your leftover .12 cents in the tip jar.

So, keep shooting those checks out to "God's work" while the work and the people He has prepared for you personally slip bitterly by.

Frustrated,
KP

PS - Thanks to those of you who do an outstanding job of not only leaving the extra .37 cents on your 4 doallar drink behind but also taking the time to speak to us with care and intrest (mostly Dave, Vaughn, and Ron.)

PPS - I promise to try to be less indignant in my next post. Circumstances just seem to keep pointing me in that direction this week.