Vital signs- Friday, May 5th, 2023

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31 NIV)

One of the greatest tests of our character is how we treat people who are trying to serve us. Whether it’s a waitress, a waiter, a clerk, an employee, a secretary, our children, or our spouse, how we treat those who serve us tells us a great deal about ourselves.

In fact, when I’ve been involved in the hiring decisions of staff, I often take people to restaurants to see how they interact with the server. Someone who is rude and demanding in those situations has a character flaw that I don’t want as part of our team.

That may be the simplest yet most important character test in the Bible.

The social psychologist Eric Hoffer once said, “Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.” It takes no intelligence at all to be rude.

The best place to practice this important character trait of respect is at home. More marriages are ruined by rudeness than anything else. When I do marriage counseling, I am amazed at how many marriages are buried by one little dig after another.

Often we’re the most disrespectful to the people we care about the most. I know people who treat their families in ways they would never treat a stranger.

Courtesy is just love in the little things. It’s showing respect for people by being kind even in the smallest areas of our lives.

In which situations do you have the most trouble being courteous?

If your character was being judged by how you treat people who serve you, how do you think it would be assessed?

Team Wade loves you and is praying for you ❤️👊