Tag: Generosity

A Cup of Orange Juice


 
I love orange juice. I have a glass of cold refreshing orange juice every morning. I prefer pure orange juice that is not made with concentrate. There are certain brands that I like most. We all have our personal preferences. In addition, orange juice is sold in a variety of ways – no pulp, some pulp and a lot of pulp. Some manufacturers add calcium or other ingredients. I prefer pure, simple, tasty cold orange juice.
 
Previously I have shared my views on the changing world of orange juice. A decade ago a carton of orange juice contained 64 ounces – a full half-gallon container. Then things began to change. The carton was reduced in size to 59 ounces. Prices stayed the same but the content decreased by about 10%. The cartons looked similar but the contents had been reduced. A few years later producers reduced the size again to 52 ounces – another 10%. Even as prices increase the size of the container has decreased by about 20% over the past ten years.
 
This is happening in many areas of consumer sales. It is called stealth pricing where manufacturers reduce the size or content of a product but do not decrease the price of the item. They assume most shoppers will not notice the difference. This has happened with ice cream, snack crackers and other consumer products. Have you noticed how small a box of Triscuits or Wheat Thins looks today? Take a closer look at the orange juice carton too.
 
When I was the lead pastor at our church in Diamond Bar a friend brought me a glass of orange juice between church services on Sunday morning. It was just what I needed to renew my energy for the next service. I used to look for a donut or snack between services but the orange juice was a much better choice. I don’t think many people even noticed this small gesture but knew I could count on my friend handing me a cup of orange juice every Sunday morning.
 
There is a verse in the Bible that says, “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. Whatever you did for the least of these – you did it for me” (Matthew 25:34-40). Jesus said that when we help others and encourage others – it is like we do it for Him. Let me encourage you to do something thoughtful and helpful to encourage someone around you this week – maybe with a cup of coffee or even a glass of orange juice. They will be glad you did and you will too!

Read 365 more stories (a story for every day of the year) by the author in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. The price is only $20 plus $5 for postage. Order your copy today at markh@efreedb.org.

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward
 
Recently my wife and I were in a drive thru at Starbucks. There was a long line and it took a few minutes to get our food and drinks. But when we pulled up to the window to pay, the employee told us the person in the car in front of us had paid for our order. We couldn’t believe it. A total stranger paid for our coffee and snacks!
 
You have heard similar stories. You may have been the one who paid for the person in the car behind you at the drive thru at McDonalds or Starbucks. Or a stranger may have paid for your food and coffee. We use the phrase Pay It Forward to describe this kind of giving to other people. People doing something for those who come after them.
 
Another example of paying it forward is the citrus tree in our back yard. I shared in previous article how my wife and I enjoy the beautiful tasty Navel Oranges that grow in our backyard each year. We did not plant the tree. The previous homeowner did. We continue to enjoy the benefits from his simple act of planting a tree many years ago.
 
There are many other examples of this in our state. Men like John Muir and Henry Cowell took action to preserve the Yosemite Valley and the coastal redwoods for generations who came after them. And we are glad they did.
 
Maybe we need to be thinking and looking further ahead for things we can do now that will benefit future generations. It might be as simple as planting a fruit tree in your back yard. It might be starting a college savings account for your grandchildren. It might be conserving more water so your kids and grandkids have enough for their generation. You may not personally benefit in your lifetime but your children, grandchildren and future generations will!
 
There is a passage in the Bible that says, “One plants and another waters but God makes it grow” (First Corinthians 3:5-9). The Apostle Paul was referring to planting new churches across the Roman Empire. His pioneering work impacted future generations as he shared the good news about Jesus. What can you do today to impact future generations? Let me encourage you to talk with your children and grandchildren about how you can do something to Pay It Forward. Why not plant a fruit tree with them in your yard – not just to benefit yourselves but to benefit the future homeowners too!  Why not pay for the coffee in the car behind you at Starbucks? You will be glad you did and they will too!

You can read 365 more articles and stories by the author in his book “Let Me Encourage You” by Mark Hopper. You can purchase two copies for only $30 plus postage ($5) one for yourself and one to share with a friend. Order your copies at markh@efreedb.org.

Generosity and Humility

 

Karsten Solheim is not well known to most people. He was actually born in Norway in 1911 and emigrated with his parents to America when he was two years old.  He studied engineering at the University of Washington and through extension courses at the University of California. He worked in the aeronautical industry with airplane manufactures and General Electric.

He eventually settled in Phoenix, Arizona, working for an aerospace company. Through the invitation of coworkers he started playing golf when he was in his forties. He was frustrated with his putting and designed a new putter using engineering principles. Later he designed other golf clubs that become very popular throughout the golf world. He started manufacturing these golf clubs in his garage. They were known as PING putters and clubs. I still use one of those early putters!

Karsten Manufacturing and PING golf clubs became an amazing success.  They continued making some of the most popular golf clubs used today.  What you may not know is that Mr. Solheim was also very generous and shared his success with colleges and universities around the country. He built new golf courses at Arizona State and Oklahoma State University. He sponsored women’s professional LPGA events.

Another school that benefited from his generosity was my Alma Mater – Dallas Seminary. Mr. Solheim had encouraged the president of the Seminary to contact him if they needed help with a major project. When the school had the opportunity to purchase a building next to the campus, the president contacted Karsten to see if he could help. It was a multi-million dollar project. Mr. Solheim was glad to provide the funds with one condition.  He did not want his name on the new building. He wanted to honor his pastor in Phoenix. Today there is a large building at Dallas Seminary with the name – John Mitchel Center.

There are many verses in the Bible that emphasize generosity. One author wrote, “Good will come to the one who is generous and lends freely and who conducts his affairs with justice” (Psalm 112:5). Real generosity is not based on wealth. You can be generous with the time, money and resources you have right now. It is not the amount – it is the attitude that results in action. Let me encourage you to watch for an opportunity to be generous this week. You will be glad you did and others will too!

For more stories and articles by the author you can visit his website at letmarkencourageyou.com. He has also collected 365 stories and articles – one for every day of the year – in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper which is available for $25 and includes shipping. Order a copy for yourself and share one with a friend at markh@efreedb.org. You will be glad you did and they will too!