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LIFE Group Lessons
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Scott and Sherri knew this day was coming. Scott took the job in the spring knowing that it was only a temporary position. They were told that the job could last a year to 18 months yet here it was 6 months later and the project was complete. Scott had updated his resume but hadn’t really invested very much effort in actually sending it out or even searching for a job. He simply believed he would have more time.
Scott got his notice yesterday but was given the rest of the week so he could draw one more full paycheck. This particular morning as they got ready for work, they said a special prayer of thanks for Sherri’s job. With her job, they should be able to hang on for the rest of the month but her salary cannot support all their financial commitments.
Sherri works for one of the largest family medical clinics in the city. All the doctors in the practice have excellent reputations, which means it’s probably the busiest clinic. Sherri has been with the clinic for several years, is well respected, has a background in nursing and understands the importance of making sure the doctor’s exam rooms are always well stocked. This is why Sherri’s main responsibility is to order and keep inventory of all the medical supplies used at the clinic. Along with working with a large budget she must also keep up with new products and work closely with sales reps.
Sherri keeps track of pricing with all of the major companies but orders most of the clinic’s supplies at one company. Because she spends several thousand dollars yearly with this company, the company’s sales rep visits often and most of the time will match any other company’s specials. However, Sherri will not hesitate to order from other companies when she feels it is in the clinic’s best interest. This is why all the major company reps visit the clinic, especially Mike. Mike is a young sales rep from one of the competitors of the company from which Sherri currently orders. Like all the other reps, he’s always bringing goodies for the staff and the doctors. He has even paid for a pizza party for the whole staff. Mike is one of those guys who would do anything to get their business.
As Sherri arrived at work she tried not to look worried. She kept telling herself that God will provide. It seemed to work so she smiled and greeted everybody as her normal self. Within an hour Mike showed up handing out candy as usual asking Sherri if she had a moment to listen to an offer that she couldn’t refuse. Immediately Sherri was thinking about all the perks she had been offered over the years. Like a free computer for the office with the latest inventory and easy ordering software, and special discounts that no competitor could touch. She once had been given a $50 gift card from Target that she had to refuse. The clinic’s policy is that the staff cannot receive personal gifts. Any perk a rep or company offered must benefit the entire staff.
What Mike had to say was different from anything she had ever been offered though. He explained his commission based salary to Sherri and said that this clinic’s business would finally help him reach a salary above that of his peers. He went on to tell her that he wanted her account so bad that he was willing to make it worth her time if she would give his company a chance at supplying the clinic. Over the next six months of course offer a lower price that matches what she was already paying. The extra benefit would be a share in his commission. Sherri interrupted Mike to clarify what he was saying. “You mean you are willing to give a cash rebate to the clinic?” Mike responded with “No, this will be money straight to you. Not a check from my company, but cash from me. No one else needs to know.” He quickly showed her some dollar amounts based on the clinic’s high volume and average monthly expenses. She could easily have an extra $1,500 a month.
At first Sherri couldn’t believe he actually had offered this until he explained how he knew several reps that do this and that there was absolutely nothing wrong with it as long as it was his gift to her. Mike told her not to give him an answer now but to just think about it. With a smile, he turned and left the office.
SCRIPTURAL POINTS OF LIGHT
Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 13:11; Ecclesiastes 7:7; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-9; Hebrews 13:9
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