"Christian" Is Not Greek For "Tightwad"

By Gobel Brockman


I once heard blues legend BB King tell the following story:

     "When I was a teenager, on Saturday mornings I would take my guitar down to one of the street corners in my town. I would start playing, and leave my guitar case open in case people wanted to give me some money. I soon noticed that when someone asked me to play a blues song, when I finished they would put some money in my case. When someone asked me to play a gospel song, when I finished they would thank me very politely and say, "Son, if you keep it up you're going to be great one day." I learned pretty quickly that if I was going to make any money at this, I was going to have to play the blues."

I think that's one of those "ouch, too true" moments. Sadly, Christians aren't always known as the "generous" type. Over the years I've heard several people that work in the food service industry say that Sunday was their least favorite day to work. Why? Because that's when the Christians would come in. They were usually very demanding, and horrible tippers. What makes this even more confusing is that most of them just came from church where they sang songs and heard sermons about the most generous Man Who ever walked this earth.

There is no way I can say everything I have to say about this in one blog. What I will say is this: if you are in a restaurant and your server provides great service, but you leave a really lousy tip, then the gospel tract you leave or Bible verse you write on the receipt will probably be pretty ineffective. Let me ask us all this: has God been generous with you? If God has forgiven your sins and given you new life, then I think the answer to that is pretty obvious. If that is the case then we are also called to be generous – with our time, talents, and yes, our cash. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:9, "He who has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor." We don't have to look very far to see people in need. What we have to do is begin to look at them with a bountiful eye. 

Yes, I know that there are people who take advantage of other's generosity, but I also believe that there are genuine needs, and doing nothing when you can do something is equally wrong. As I have said before, no one can do everything, but everyone can do something. I will make it simple – we have been blessed, and we have been called to be a blessing. May God help us to open our eyes – and our wallets – to a hurting world. The Bible also says in Proverbs, "He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord." But I will also say this: it's not just money that we can be generous with. Sometimes people just need an open ear or a free shoulder to cry on. A few moments of your time. A simple act of kindness. Who knows what difference a few moments that we think we can't spare might make. I challenge us all to be open to ways that God can use us to be a blessing to someone this week.

And if you're walking down the street and hear a musician playing, remember that they can't take your compliments to the store and buy groceries with them.