Servant Perks

The really sexy companies these days offer some crazy cool benefits for employees.

"Bend an ear, God; answer me. I'm one miserable wretch!"...

Talk about a cry for help.

Psalm 86 really comes to life in the Bible translation called The Message Remix. Gone is the formality of the King James Version, which begins the psalm with the words, "Bow down thine ear, O Lord" (v. 1). In its place is a desperate plea, offered by a person at the end of his rope. "Help your servant," he pleads, "I'm depending on you!"

We know what the psalm-writer is going through, don't we? Long days at work can turn us into miserable wretches. We put in extra hours, but still feel "poor and needy" (v. 1, NRSV). We take work home, but never seem to get ahead. Tied to the office by computers and cell phones, we can't seem to get a break. Exhaustion and burnout are constant threats.

More salary or vacation may be out of the question. But how about a perk?

Yes, a perk. Just a little something extra. An amenity. A treat. A good thing to ease the stress and strain of a difficult situation.

Startup...