Merit Pay

Luke 17:7-10

A line at the bottom of the menu stated, “18% gratuity added for all tables with six or more people.”

In other words, an item on the menu listing for $14.99 actually costs an additional $1.04 tax, bringing the price to $16.03, 18% of that amount is $2.89, so the real price for that item is $18.92, or $3.93 more than what the menu shows if there are more than six people at the table. Isn’t that false advertising? In addition, larger groups buy more, making it possible to make more. Why would you want to penalize them? Most other businesses give a volume discount instead of charging a premium.

Tips were originally given as a way of rewarding an exceptional job. As such, they were not obligatory. Today, tips are expected as part of the waiters wages, and are sometimes split with the manager or other employees. The automatic collection of tips rewards people whether they have done an exemplary job or one that is less than satisfactory. As a result, there is no incentive to do a better job for tables where the tip will be collected automatically, and many times they receive less service.

If they work for the restaurant, they should be paid for the work they are expected to do without tips. If they are not, then the restaurant is not being fair with their employees. It is unfair to demand that the customers pay a tip. It is no different than the huge bonuses some financial employees got when the government bailed out the banks. A bonus should not be a standard part of the pay, but a reward for having done something extra. This is the concept of what Jesus teaches now.

“But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.” (Luke 17:7)

An employee should not expect or demand extra for just doing his job. It is just what they agreed to do. Anything less is grounds for dismissal. It is unfair to those who have done their part to give a bonus to those who haven’t. God is a just God, and will not reward those who’ve not done their jobs.

“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)

The Prodigal son’s older brother doesn’t need to worry that his little brother will wind up with just as much as he does without doing his share of the work. As we look back over the last several lessons, we see that one common theme is that each person will be judged for his own actions. It will not be possible to claim credit for what others have done, or to blame others for one’s own sin.

Matthew 16:27 warns, “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” The Lord introduces himself in Revelation 1, and in Revelation 22:12 he declares, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Our salvation is based on what Christ has done and all will be equally children of God. Our rewards, however, will be based on what we’ve personally done, and some will have far more than others. There will be no bonuses for those who haven’t even done their job.