A beggar who was very hungry came into a cafe begging for food. The new waiter offered him a small bowl of yesterday’s rice or a piece of toast which hadn’t been eaten by a customer earlier that morning. The beggar chose the toast because it had a little butter on it. He took the toast and left the café.

 

When the owner came to the café later, the waiter told him what had happened with the beggar. The owner felt sad. He said it was the policy of the café to offer beggars a good sit-down meal in exchange for 30 minutes of dishwashing. The beggar could have had any of the standard meals on the menu.

Why didn’t the beggar choose to wash dishes and get a full meal? He didn’t know that he could choose the full meal. If he had known, he may not have chosen the full meal anyway because he didn’t want to do the dishes, but he would have had that choice.

Why didn’t the waiter offer him the full meal for washing dishes? He didn’t offer the full meal and dishwashing because he was new at the café and hadn’t been told about this café policy.

As members of the Church we can offer anyone the wondrous blessings of peace, joy, and love if they are willing to study and learn. Those who hear the offer may not choose to accept it. We respect everyone’s right to choose. However, we increase their freedom to choose when we tell them of the peace, joy and love that comes from knowing and living teachings from God.