Note:  Don’t miss the excellent video by Pastor Francis Chan found at the end of this blog post.

Well-meaning people have given you tips and advice since you were knee-high to a tadpole.

• Do good.
• Get an education.
• Listen to your parents.
• Don’t speed.
• Don’t eat with your eyes.
• Ladies, don’t go out with a guy shorter than you.
• Treat others how you want to be treated.

As far as advice and tips go, those aren’t bad. … except for the one about going out with someone shorter than you.

But they all lack something.

Something BIG.

Something life-altering.

If you were to give someone great advice or a tip, what would it be?

Let’s look at some advice given to successful people.

After upsetting co-workers at IBM in Detroit, Craig Newmark, who would go on to start Craigslist, was pulled aside by his boss who told him, “Don’t correct people when it matters little.”

Richard Branson, the man behind Virgin Airlines and the Virgin Group, said the best advice he ever got was “Have no regrets.”

Chef Gordon Ramsay said his best advice was “Put your head down and work hard. Never wait for things to happen, make them happen.”

They may be good words to live by, but not necessarily the Word of life.

Then there are the monetary tips given by kindhearted souls.

Cindi Grady, a Cracker Barrel waitress in Branson, Missouri, got a nice surprise. Two of her regular customers, who would see her arrive to work in a battered car, bought her a new one.

Nice tip, but we can do better than that.

Soccer great David Beckham, while out celebrating with teammates, drank only mineral water. When his $100 bill arrived, he left a $1,000 tip.

Dr. Dre, one of the wealthiest men in hip-hop, was partying at West Hollywood’s Mondrian Hotel. When he left, he gave his waitress a $5,000 tip.

Seriously, I know we can do better than that!

Singer Taylor Swift left a $500 tip at a Philadelphia restaurant, and gave the chef two tickets to her concert.

Nice, but how about a ticket that’s out of this world … say to eternity?

OK, how about this one?

It’s been reported that Jay Z once spent $250,000 on champagne at a Miami nightclub, leaving a $50,000 tip.

Whoa, now that’s a tip … but I know for a fact we can do better than that!

Here’s a Tip That’s Absolutely Priceless

Of course, every waiter and waitress lives for that humongous financial tip.

But remember, you can’t take it with you. Money, like your time on Earth, is just temporary.

Although you may not be a wealthy movie star, sports celebrity, or rock impresario, YOU can leave a far better tip than ALL of those mentioned above put together!

It’s as life-altering as it is priceless.

You can tip them off to Jesus.

He’s forgiven your sins, He’s restored your fellowship with God the Father, and He gives you eternal life.

If you have faith and believe, all things are possible through Christ.

• Try to put a price tag on His selfless death on the cross. You can’t.
• Try to put a price tag on how He completely alters your life for the better. You can’t.
• Try to put a price tag on how He shows you what true love is all about. You can’t.

You can’t buy His mercy.

You can’t buy His unending grace.

You can’t buy God’s love, which He has in abundance and shares freely to His children.

You can’t buy or work for your salvation. It was paid in full when Jesus died on the cross in  your place.

You can make all the money in the world, have all the fame in the world, and live the most luxurious lifestyle in the world. But you’re still in the world.

It may be great for a moment, but how long will that last? One day it all ends.

Our life on Earth is short compared to eternity. Where do you go from here?

Without Jesus, you aren’t going to spend eternal life in heaven.

To put things into perspective, watch this excellent video based on one of Pastor Francis Chan’s sermons.

https://vimeo.com/129860120

Jesus said:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24)

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6)

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2-3)

Here’s an idea. Next time you have a meal at a restaurant, leave an appropriate financial tip. Along with it, leave a tip that money can’t buy. Tell them about Jesus.

If you are shy, leave a tract. Better yet, a personalized note.  Something like:

Thank you for the wonderful service. This tip I left represents only the temporal. I have a better tip for you. Jesus Christ.

He came to take your sins away. He offers you eternal life. He can mend your relationship with God the Father. It’s a tip that will save your life, and worth more than any amount of money I can give you.

Now here is a tip for you. As you waffle about telling someone about Jesus, that person could be the last one God is waiting for before He comes for His church.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

I’ve got my boarding pass. Do you know someone who still doesn’t have theirs?