A Penny Can Change Your Life

I heard a story of a wealthy man who was observed stopping to pick up a coin in a hotel parking lot. When this man and his companions arrived at their destination the man was asked why he, a man of wealth and influence, would stop to pick up a coin that little or no bearing on his financial situation.

The man explained, “There was a time in my life when every penny mattered. Sometimes it meant the difference in being able to afford a meal or not. But now my focus isn’t on the coin but on the message. You see, each coin is a reminder to me that I am not alone. Each coin preaches a sermon, in God we trust!

As my wealth and influence have increased I never want to become confident in my own wisdom, my own ability to conduct transactions or to find my security in my holdings. It was my faith and trust in God that brought me to this place and it will be that and that alone that will keep me here.

So whenever I see a coin I stop and pick it up. As I slide it into my pocket I remind myself to put my trust in God for that day because as I’ve learned, He is the only one who is truly worthy of my trust”.

Situations and circumstances in our homes, our communities and around the world give us pause. Some can even cause us to fear if we don’t keep our hearts focused.

Now more than ever is time to let God’s word have final say. “In everything give thanks”, not “for” everything give thanks but in everything. Not thankful for the circumstance or the situation but thankful because God is STILL in control. Read these words that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica.

“We ask you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who will not work. Encourage those who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 15 Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong. But always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.

16 Always be full of joy. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.

19 Don’t stop the work of the Holy Spirit. 20 Don’t treat prophecy like something that is not important. 21 But test everything. Keep what is good, 22 and stay away from everything that is evil.

23 We pray that God himself, the God of peace, will make you pure—belonging only to him. We pray that your whole self—spirit, soul, and body—will be kept safe and be blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. 24 The one who chose you will do that for you. You can trust him.” I Thessalonians 5:14-24

I love that last line “You can trust Him”.

That story of the coin has stuck with me for the last 7 years. I remember when I heard it for the first time, May 2008. Since that time, nearly every time, when I see a coin in a parking lot or on a street, I stop to pick it up and as I slide it into my pocket I let my fingers run across the face of the coin and I repeat these words “Father, I put my trust in your today. You are faithful. I can trust You.”

So if you’re with me and you see me stop and reach down for a penny or a nickel or possibly a quarter you will know why. I need my attention off my circumstances and on the One who controls my heart – I can trust Him!