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Learning to help others is always the way to success

By Ted Simonson

Statesville

Published: March 22, 2009

I ran into an old friend at a fast-food outlet the other day. She was cheery and upbeat, as usual, but I was surprised to see her taking orders instead of her usual position. She grinned.

"I've decided to learn all the jobs here, from dishwasher to cleaning tables to receptionist. That way I can fill in wherever I'm needed," she said.

I was impressed. Instead of fearing a layoff, she was making herself a more valuable employee. Instead of worrying about losing her job, she was thinking about her employer and about how to contribute to his success.

Of course she was a Christian and that means she has a lot going for her. She doesn't have to fight for position or rank. She doesn't mind being a servant because she's following the greatest servant of all.

It reminded me of Joseph in the Bible. No matter how difficult his circumstances, he somehow found a way to help others, a sure route to success in a recession — or any other time!