The Penny

The cost to produce the penny is higher than the actual penny is worth. This is what the Canadian government concluded earlier this year when they decided that the penny would be phased out. They let us know that as of March 2013, the penny would no longer be distributed from the banks, and the mint stopped making them. As the day came closer, people began to ask what they would do with the pennies that they had been saving in jars. How would the stores handle a sale with the odd cents involved? Charts were designed with a rounding up and rounding down process that would be used, and slowly the penny would be used and seen less and less.

Mark 12:42 – But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. (NIV)

I have begun to notice that I have fewer and fewer of them in my pocket at any given time. Recently as I made a purchase, it came to $2.02. Having only a $2.00 coin and a 5-cent coin in my possession, I was faced with the question, "Do I offer to pay $2.05 and lose the 3 cents, or give $2.00 and feel like I had short-changed the store? I handed the clerk the $2.00 and she handed me my purchase. The transaction had taken place.

Why, then, did I continue to ponder this in my head? What seems to be sticking the most with me is that now, the penny has no value to anyone. Yet, I have picked pennies up from the road and off store floors and brought these pennies into church to be collected in jars as a ministry of the church. I was taught, as I picked them up, to think of the lost and to say a prayer for them.

Well, the penny might not have any monetary value, but the lost souls of this world still do. I am sorry to say that the lost are still being found on the road and on store floors. They still need to be brought into the churches, and ministries still need supporting. We will continue to remember the penny for a long time, but a day will come when the next generation will have no idea what a penny was. Let's seek the Lord and ask Him how we can help to bring the lost and cast-aside into a relationship with Him.

Luke 15:9-10 – And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, "Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin." In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (NIV)

Let us rejoice in finding the lost and sharing the gospel with our friends and neighbours. We don't need to look far to see the lost. In most cases, they are right beside us in any given situation.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we are so thankful that You saw the value in us. Continue to show us ways to encourage the lost to find their way to You. Thank You for coming and making a way for all to enter into eternal life in heaven. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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