“If we did well, ring the bell!”
A sign bearing this comment sits to the left of the exit doors at a local fast-food eatery. Bolted to the wall nearby is a old-fashioned bell, complete with a rope hanging from the end of the clapper.
As with most everyone, I have a subconscious expectation of what constitutes good service. This means that the order was executed properly, the correct change was given, the place was clean, and the staff was courteous and helpful.
One afternoon, I had lunch at this particular restaurant with members of my extended family. The experience was a good one, and while acquiring a drink refill, I noticed the sign and bell on the wall. That’s a neat idea, I thought. Instant verification of whether they did a good job or not. I returned to my seat, finished the meal, and before walking out the door, I picked up my daughter so she could pull the bell’s rope.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Immediately, we heard a chorus of “Thank you!” from the front counter and kitchen. It was a shocking yet nice way to end the dining experience. I later thought about the whole situation and the seemingly instinctive response by the staff. It seemed so trained, so mechanical, so . . . expected. Ivan Pavlov, the Russian psychologist who taught dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell (whether they received any food or not), would’ve been proud.
The reactions of the employees that afternoon are not as unusual as one might think. Every person has a bell similar to the one found at the restaurant that can be “pulled” to bring out a certain response (in words, actions, or both).
Jesus understood the concept of bell-ringing quite well. While sitting on a hillside one day, he gave three examples of how hypocrites—individuals who act religious but aren’t really that way—try to elicit reactions from people:
#1 - “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full” (Matthew 6:2 [NIV]).
#2 - “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full” (Matthew 6:5 [NIV]).
#3 - “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full” (Matthew 6:16 [NIV]).
Obviously, these people were attempting to make sure as many folks as possible knew of their actions. And I’m sure they were convincing to quite a few individuals as well. But they forgot to remember that it’s not that easy to ring the bell of the Creator. God understands the feelings, thoughts, and intents of humanity—for both good or evil (see Psalm 94:11). Jesus noted, in each of his three examples, that they would only get one type of reward—the hollow praise of men.
Sometimes the words we say, the actions we convey, even the thoughts we think can reveal more about us and our true intentions than we’d like to admit.
The truth is, in many ways, we want to be known for something. And our corrupt human nature, if unchecked, will do whatever it takes to make sure that happens:
If we desire praise, we’ll make sure people know how wonderful we and/or our successes are.
If we desire power, we’ll make sure nobody stands in our way of reaching the top.
If we desire godliness, we’ll stop ringing bells and allow God to provide what he deems necessary for our lives.
In each of Jesus’ three examples, he noted that the correct way to get the Lord’s seal of approval is not to desire the cheers and accolades of men. In this, one would not make a spectacle out of what they were doing (giving, praying, fasting). Followers of Christ are called to be different, to be agents of change in a world that seems to grow nearer and farther apart simultaneously.
—Jesus, in Matthew 23:12 (The Message)
—Brennan Manning 1
1 Manning, Brennan. The Ragamuffin Gospel. Multnomah, Sisters OR, 1990: 147.
All material copyright 2006 J. Alan Sharrer. No part of this message may be reproduced—other than the forwarding of the original, unaltered message—without express written permission.
