Show Notes
Read: Matthew 16:24-27; Ephesians 2:8-10
“Look, Dad! Miss Eva gave me some money for helping with her trash and recycling bins this week!” Danner exclaimed, showing his father several crisp green bills as he walked through the back door.
“That’s great. I know you helped without expecting anything in return, but it’s kind of her to reward you,” Dad answered. “Why don’t you put these dishes away, and then you can join me at the grocery store. Our home group from church is coming over, and we need to buy some salad ingredients for dinner.”
“Okay. Maybe I can buy something with this money at the store.”
Danner placed the clean dishes in kitchen cabinets and then shouted, “Meet you in the car, Dad!” He considered buying his favorite candy bar with the cash from Miss Eva. He might have enough money for two.
Later, Danner and his dad waited in line to purchase their food. Danner had helped select carrots and cucumbers for that night’s salad. Then he found the chocolate candy he wanted.
But as they stood in line, Danner shifted from foot to foot. Did he really want to spend his money on the candy bar? He had enough for just one. And once he spent the money, he knew it would be gone.
Danner quickly returned the candy to its shelf as the cashier greeted them.
“Did you change your mind?” Dad asked as they loaded grocery bags into the van.
“I’m not sure I want to spend my money on candy, Dad,” Danner replied.
Dad nodded. “I understand. That money’s kind of like life.”
“How?” Danner asked.
“When we put our faith in Jesus and trust Him to forgive our sins, we start a new life as God’s children. Since God is our Father, we want to live those new lives for Him, making the most of every day we have,” Dad explained. “Instead of focusing on ourselves and the things in this world that won’t last, God helps us love others and point them to Jesus.”
“And we get just one life, right, Dad?” Danner patted his pocket where he’d stuffed the dollar bills from Miss Eva. “I’m going to make my life count for Jesus. And I’m going to think about how to make these dollars count too.”
–Allison Wilson Lee
How about you? Have you ever received money and wondered how to spend it? Having a limited amount of something important means we want to use it wisely and not waste it. God wants the same thing for our lives. To live wisely, we need to live for Jesus instead of ourselves. As we grow in our relationship with Him, He helps us make wise choices and share His love with others.
Today’s key verse: For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Matthew 16:25 (NIV)
Today’s key thought: Live your one life for Jesus