COFFEEHOUSE RECONSIDERS BONUSES AND TIPS
In a recent revision to their corporate policy, the Starbucks Coffee Company has announced a new rewards program meant to give employees a share in their employer’s success. The coffee chain has always offered benefits that go beyond the normal fast-food chain, but the new “Back to Starbucks” program (meant to revitalize the chain) will included changes for baristas and supervisors. A new bonus structure will layer on top of existing pay and benefits, triggered when a coffeehouse “meets and exceeds certain sales, operational and customer service targets.” The plan also includes more ways that employees can receive tips—now that so many transactions are conducted through electronic payments. By July 2026, these changes should be rolling out to most locations.

GOD’S MESSAGE FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE
In the first context, Moses is giving a sermon to those about to enter the land of promise. Any employer must pay the agreed wages, and punishment for any crimes should fall on only the responsible individual—not entire families. Anyone loaning money should make it easy for the other person to pay it back. And agricultural workers should deliberately leave extra food in their fields that any hungry person shall be allowed to eat. Much later, in the first-century Christian church context, Paul addresses relations between members of a household: God is the Lord and master of all, without favoritism. Everyone should be rich in good deeds; willingness to share with others is like credit from heaven, an eternal treasure.

Questions

• How do you decide how much to leave as a tip in different situations?
• How can and should employers reward their top-performing employees?
• In what ways are you laying up treasures in heaven, by observing and responding to the economic needs of others?