One of my favorite shows on TV is CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood. This past Sunday, there were a number of vignettes about different subjects – much shorter than usual and quite a bit more diverse. There was a segment on the uber wealthy and the Rolls Royces they purchase with some over the top enhancements – such as a star studded roof liner with the stars in the positions they occupied the night the purchaser was born. Or how about the diamond encrusted dashboard or the 24k gold overlays on the security model they built for one foreign dignitary? And did you know that China is the largest market for these automobiles – who would have thought?
And of course, I could go on and on, but there was one short segment that I really enjoyed – the concept of tipping; when to tip and when not to. I found out that most of us tip more often than we possibly should – such as when the superintendent comes down and fixes the leaky faucet in your apartment. If it is during the day, when he/she usually works, then no tip is suggested – it’s a normal part of the business day. But anybody who touches your bags when you check into that ritzy hotel – no matter how many people assist you – each one gets a separate tip. And that super – if he comes down after hours to fix something, then we should tip – it’s service above and beyond.
I also learned that “tips” stands for “to insure prompt service.” I guess I never knew that although it makes sense to me, kind of like “posh” when you sail – “port out, starboard home.” But tips don’t have to be monetary. There are small gifts you can give, or even advice. In fact, anything that you do that helps another and “insures prompt service” is fair game.
With all that having been said, I have a tip for everyone reading this post tonight. And that is that God responds to prayer. You might not get the answer you want, but God will hear your petition. In fact, Jesus Himself tells us, in John 14:13-14, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” My encouragement this evening is that God wants us to ask for things that are consistent with His will for our lives. My prayer is that God will honor your requests and that you will receive the things you need to live a fruitful, God honoring life for you and your family. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…