Christian Couple Leaves $1,200 Tip on $20 Bill Along With Powerful Bible Verse for Struggling Waitress

By Leah Marieann Klett
Tips for Jesus
Brianna Siegel said that when she opened the envelope, she said she nearly fell to her knees  CBS2

A New Jersey waitress was left stunned after a couple left her a $1,200 tip on a $20 bill, saying God told them to give the money to a stranger who touched them.

Brianna Siegel, 21, told CBS2 she was working at Bar Louie in Woodbridge, NJ, when a young couple came in and ordered two burgers and two drinks.

The pair chatted with Siegel for a bit before asking her, "Do you believe in God?" They then paid their $20 bill, and handed the waitress an envelope and told her not to open it until they were gone.

Siegel forgot about the envelope until she got to her boyfriend's house. Initially, she thought it might be a prayer card because the couple seemed very religious.

However, when she opened it, she was stunned to find a check made out to her for $1,200 along with a note.

"Bri, God cared for you," the note read. "This is not a coincidence. Peter 5:7 'Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you'. I pray that you are the best RN out there. Whenever it gets hard, know God got you. - B+W."

"I didn't know if it was real if it was a scam," she said, admitting she nearly fell to her knees in gratitude. "I really had no words, I didn't know what to say."

Siegel said she hopes to use the generous tip for nursing school and a new car.

The couple, who wanted to remain anonymous, told CBS2 that God told them to give the money to a stranger who touched them.

This is not the first time a Christian couple has left a "tip for Jesus." In 2014, Illinois waitresses Amber Kariolich, Amy Sabani and Sarah Seckinger were talking about their financial struggles when a customer walked up and asked for their names.

The woman wrote them down, and then handed each of the waitresses a check. The trio was shocked to see each check was written for $5,000.

The servers tried to decline, but the customer insisted.

"I want you girls to take these to help with school and everything else in life," the woman said, according to the Rockford Register Star. "Yes, you can take it. You put that in your pocket. God sent me here to help you."

Similarly, an Instagram account started several years ago called @tipsforjesus shows hundreds of photos of the generous gratuities. Its tagline: "Doing the Lord's work, one tip at a time."

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo