A DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR TONY
Monday, August 28
Others First
Back on Sunday, June 4, we announced the Rise and Build summer series—a thirteen-week study in Ezra and Nehemiah. The purpose of the series was not only to learn the historic value of these two Old Testament books, but to also make building the Kingdom of God a top priority in our own individual lives.
Yesterday we formally closed the book on this endeavor and that means—at least for the moment—the end of my morning devotionals. However, before we move on, will you allow me to offer one final lesson? Everyone in our story, everyone the Lord raised up to assist in the Jerusalem rebuilding and restoration project, put others first. They laid aside selfishness and greed, and they showcased self-sacrifice and benevolence.
And that reminds me of the story of the ten-year-old boy who walked up to the counter of a busy soda shop and climbed onto a stool. He caught the eye of the waitress and asked, “How much is an ice cream sundae?”
“Three dollars,” the waitress replied.
The boy reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful of change, and began counting his money. A few moments later, the boy addressed the waitress again and asked, “How much for a single scoop of vanilla ice cream?”
The waitress sighed and said, “Two dollars for the single.”
Again, the boy looked down at his coins and after a moment said, “I’ll take the plain vanilla ice cream, please.” He then gave the waitress two dollars in change. She took the money, handed the dish of ice cream to the boy, and turned to help the next customer who had been waiting patiently.
About ten minutes later, the waitress returned to where the little boy had been seated, and she picked up the empty dish. What she noticed when she grabbed the dish caused her to immediately burst into tears. There on the counter, next to a napkin, were four quarters. The boy had enough money for a sundae, but he purposely ordered the single scoop of ice cream so he could leave her a tip. The waitress said it was the biggest and best tip she ever received.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4
