Delivering Compassion and Courtesy

In Titus 3, Paul gives this exhortation to Timothy to:
1Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,2to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.3For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

God has done so much for us - He has made it possible to come into a relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ.  He has offered to us great grace so that we may walk in His ways.  And, I believe He also calls us to extend grace to others - to demonstrate compassion, with humility, not thinking of ourselves in a higher way than we should, but possessing a servant's attitude.   When we sin against another person, it's important to admit that we're wrong and make things right, in a spirit of reconciliation.   As we have been reconciled to Christ, so He calls us to walk in peace with one another, that He may be exalted.

1st Peter chapter 3 reinforces that concept of showing compassion and courtesy toward people around us:
8Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;9not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

I have to admit, I admire those who have chosen to deliver pizzas - going into neighborhoods that might be unfamiliar, knocking on the doors of total strangers to bring food to their homes, advertising to those intent on doing harm that you might have some cash on you.   There's certainly danger and intrigue.  

And, those dedicated individuals have a dependence on the tips of the customers.   One pizza deliveryman in in Portland, OR, Andrew Schaffer, recently delivered a pizza to a couple and received $23 for a total $22.67 tab.  According to an ABC News story at Yahoo.com, he chose to just grin and keeping moving to his next stop.

The next day, however, Andrew received a special delivery of his own.  His boss asked if he remembered making a delivery to the address that stiffed him.   Schaffer said, "He gave me their address and I was like, 'Yes,' because I remembered they didn't tip me."

The couple had apparently stopped by the pizza place - Schaffer said that, "...I was worried because I didn't think I was rude to them."

But it was a different story.  They had dropped off a handmade card that had a stamped cupcake on the front - inside, there wasn't a cupcake, but there was an additional $20 bill to make up for their tipping miscalculations the night prior.

The note read, “We would like to apologize for our impaired math skills and thank you for the work you do...We appreciate it immensely.”

Schaffer sincerely appreciated the gesture and said, "The quality of the handmade card...That was something I really appreciate. It was really creative."

I think this story can speak to us in a number of ways.   First of all, it can be a reminder to be generous when you tip.  For instance, as I've said before, the lack of a substantial tip by a church group or someone that is obviously a church member can send a negative message.   If someone's delivering food to your house and you have a Christian theme or quote around your front door, make sure you back it up with generosity. Remember that people in that line of work depend heavily on the tips of customers.

Now, on a deeper level - so many people labor thanklessly, and I think it can be a sign of Christian compassion to show people appreciation.   I think affirmation can be important to all of us.  When you encounter people who are working with excellence, it can be a real encouragement to let them know that their efforts are not going unnoticed.

Finally, this couple demonstrates the very simple concept of repentance and restitution.   They admitted that they were wrong.   The Bible teaches us to humble ourselves before the Lord, and to confess our sins before Him.   When we miss the mark, we can come to God and be restored by the blood of Jesus - but we have to acknowledge where we have failed.   And, if our sins have touched the lives of another, and they often do, there will be occasion to go to that person and admit our error and ask for forgiveness.   Perhaps there may be another step to take - if something we have done has caused harm or loss, there may be an occasion even to go as far as to show some token that things have been reconciled. That could involve an act of kindness or a gift of appreciation, or if physical damage has been done to someone's property, to offer to compensate for it.   Jesus spoke of going the second mile, and I think that concept applies when a relationship has been damaged - it's important that we make things right, and it starts with admitting when we are wrong.