Mr. Phipps stood with a clip board in
his hand and his trademark sincere-servant smile on his face as a weathered old
car rolled into the service bay of his oil-change company. It was the day
before Christmas eve and the last day he and his employees would work until
January 4. He stepped to the driver's window of the car as the driver rolled
down the window.
"How may we help you, sir?"
The man smiled back at Mr. Phipps the same
warm and sincere smile he was being given. "The car needs an oil and
filter change." He stared at Mr. Phipps intently awaiting a reply.
"Yes, Sir. Here is what we
offer..."
The
man interrupted, "Before I waste your time, I must tell you that I have no
money to offer."
Mr. Phipps was taken aback by the comment
and hesitated before saying, "Well - it is difficult to pay the overhead
without..."
Once again, the man interrupted, " As
I said, I have no money to pay for your products and services with, but - I offer
Something more valuable which, when received, will make you rich beyond
anything this world can offer." And the man stared with a most unworldly
stare.
Now, Mr. Phipps would never be mistaken
for anything other than a good and humble servant of his Lord, and he showed it
as his employees stopped whatever they were doing so that they might capture every
word being spoken by the two men. "I have already received that gift, and
I am truly rich beyond anything this world has to offer. Let us take care of
your car while you wait in the lounge through that door, my friend."
As the man walked into the waiting lounge,
he saw the only other occupant, a young and well-dressed man, sitting and
impatiently leafing through a magazine. He sat down beside the young man.
The young man turned to him immediately
saying, " See that Mercedes in there? That's my Dad's car. It cost more
than a lot of people make in three or four years. We're rich. You think that is
something, you should see our house. It's what's called a mansion. Know what
that is? It's bigger than the Governor's mansion - a lot bigger. He let's me
drive his car when he gets it serviced, cause he doesn't trust anyone else. I
have friends that aren't rich, and they
understand why I can't let them come over to my house. We have all the
expensive artwork and stuff. You know?"
The young man talked for several minutes
as the man looked at him with a kindly smile. In fact, he participated in this
one-sided conversation until Mr. Phipps appeared at the lounge door to tell the
man his car was ready.
The man, still smiling, looked at the
young man who had finally stopped talking when Mr. Phipps had entered the
doorway and spoke to him, "Indeed, you and your father are fortunate to
possess such riches. However, I think you should know that my Father built the
earth that your father's mansion sits upon and that he offers you riches far
beyond what you currently have or can imagine just for the asking - and these
riches will never be taken from you - even as you pass from this earthly
life." And he walked toward Mr. Phipps and the exit.
The young man was left with a most
perplexed look and speechless. Mr. Phipps and all his employees were left with
a warm heart and a feeling of what the true meaning of Christmas surely is -
giving with love for all mankind as God gave his only son to us.
The world will miss you Mr. Phipps.
