Hey Singles!
I was wondering how everyone else feels about things like this. When you get coupons for a free product or service, do you ever feel compelled to return as a paying customer?
"Stop In For A Free Donut Or Coffee"...
A local donut shop sends out these coupons every so often, and I had received 2 in the past 3 months (which I fully utilized). As much as I'd love to say I went for the (black and calorie-free) coffee, I don't think it's hard to guess which option I chose! (Raspberry-filled the first time; blueberry the second.) Hey, at least I'm getting some fruit (flavors!) Ha ha ha.
These were the first donuts I'd eaten in over a year, because, as yummy as they are, I try not to make them a regular part of my diet!!! However, whenever I receive a free coupon for something, I always make an effort at some point to try to go back as a paying customer because I don't want to take advantage of the business--I want to try to support them, if even in a small way. Last week I stopped in and bought a few donuts on my own as a token of appreciation.
One reason for this is because I've worked in product sales all my life, and I've seen many examples of people taking what I see as an unfair advantage of such things. For instance, my Grandma, as much as I loved her, would ask for stacks of bags for children's meals at a local fast food place because each bag had a free ice cream coupon (even though it was specifically stated that this was for children 10 and under with a limit 1 per child) and would use every single one of them as often as she pleased. If she encountered any hesitation, she became aggressive to the point where they just gave in to her (as is common in customer service.)
I understand that if a business offers something, it's there to be taken advantage of. But that is the issue for me--where is the line between appreciating what's offered and just plain taking advantage of people?
I've known many people who see businesses and say, "They have enough money, they don't need to take any from me." But my heart is always with the workers, because I've been a worker all my life, as well as the daughter of a business-minded father who worked long hours, 7 days a week, doing work that others often thought they were too good to do. Many of the people working at such places are often being paid pennies on the dollar and they have bills, health concerns, marriages to keep together, aging parents, and children to take care of, too.
This Bible passage is always close to my heart: 1 Timothy 5:18 -- "The laborer is worthy of his wages".
Because of this, I don't mind making small sacrifices (for myself, I don't eat out much or buy daily coffee/energy drinks/pop/fast food so that saves a bit of money) in order to make sure that a few other laborers receive the wages that God says they are worthy of (and even if not, God says He is kind to the evil and unrepentant and we are to be as well). And maybe all I can afford to place is a less-than-$5 order. But if Jesus witnessed a widow putting less than 2 pennies in an offering box and said it was worth more than the offerings of the wealthy because it was given sincerely and in faith, I know God will bless my small efforts to support other businesses as well.
I was just wondering if anyone else thinks about these kinds of things?
These are just a few of the things I encounter in my daily single life as a Christian and I was wondering if other fellow Christians feel this way too.
I was wondering how everyone else feels about things like this. When you get coupons for a free product or service, do you ever feel compelled to return as a paying customer?
"Stop In For A Free Donut Or Coffee"...
A local donut shop sends out these coupons every so often, and I had received 2 in the past 3 months (which I fully utilized). As much as I'd love to say I went for the (black and calorie-free) coffee, I don't think it's hard to guess which option I chose! (Raspberry-filled the first time; blueberry the second.) Hey, at least I'm getting some fruit (flavors!) Ha ha ha.
These were the first donuts I'd eaten in over a year, because, as yummy as they are, I try not to make them a regular part of my diet!!! However, whenever I receive a free coupon for something, I always make an effort at some point to try to go back as a paying customer because I don't want to take advantage of the business--I want to try to support them, if even in a small way. Last week I stopped in and bought a few donuts on my own as a token of appreciation.
One reason for this is because I've worked in product sales all my life, and I've seen many examples of people taking what I see as an unfair advantage of such things. For instance, my Grandma, as much as I loved her, would ask for stacks of bags for children's meals at a local fast food place because each bag had a free ice cream coupon (even though it was specifically stated that this was for children 10 and under with a limit 1 per child) and would use every single one of them as often as she pleased. If she encountered any hesitation, she became aggressive to the point where they just gave in to her (as is common in customer service.)
I understand that if a business offers something, it's there to be taken advantage of. But that is the issue for me--where is the line between appreciating what's offered and just plain taking advantage of people?
I've known many people who see businesses and say, "They have enough money, they don't need to take any from me." But my heart is always with the workers, because I've been a worker all my life, as well as the daughter of a business-minded father who worked long hours, 7 days a week, doing work that others often thought they were too good to do. Many of the people working at such places are often being paid pennies on the dollar and they have bills, health concerns, marriages to keep together, aging parents, and children to take care of, too.
This Bible passage is always close to my heart: 1 Timothy 5:18 -- "The laborer is worthy of his wages".
Because of this, I don't mind making small sacrifices (for myself, I don't eat out much or buy daily coffee/energy drinks/pop/fast food so that saves a bit of money) in order to make sure that a few other laborers receive the wages that God says they are worthy of (and even if not, God says He is kind to the evil and unrepentant and we are to be as well). And maybe all I can afford to place is a less-than-$5 order. But if Jesus witnessed a widow putting less than 2 pennies in an offering box and said it was worth more than the offerings of the wealthy because it was given sincerely and in faith, I know God will bless my small efforts to support other businesses as well.
I was just wondering if anyone else thinks about these kinds of things?
These are just a few of the things I encounter in my daily single life as a Christian and I was wondering if other fellow Christians feel this way too.