“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?  And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors 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.” -Luke 15:8-10

What is it worth to you?

We enjoyed the Barnabas Mission Auction last Saturday night and raised an impressive amount of money to support mission activities in our church.  Some of the objects donated are quite valuable. Some of them are simply a combination of eggs, flour, butter and sugar, without much “value” but purchased for $100!  “What is it worth to you?” is the question we ask ourselves at an auction or fundraiser event. The “value” of the object is not as important as the value of the ministry it supports.

Jesus taught a different type of economics to his disciples than what they knew.  In the three parables of Luke 15, Jesus explains how God values each and every lost person.  The lost lamb is rejoiced over when found. The woman who searched her entire house until every piece of furniture was overturned to find her lost coin, had a party with her friends once it was found.  The lost son is celebrated and welcomed home by the loving Father. These stories remind us that God will search for us, even if it means turning His entire house upside down. God will search for the one lost lamb even if 99 are still safe in the fold.  God will come running and celebrate the son who returns home.

This week, whenever you see a coin, whether in your wallet or on the street, take a moment to remember that God says you have great value.  God will search for you when you are lost. God celebrates when you are found again. Say a little prayer of thanks for God’s amazing love for you.

Loving Father, thank you for rejoicing over the lost being found.  Thank you for your incredible love for us. Help us to love you and not be tempted to love money.  Help us to see the value in all people the way you do. Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Hanna Peterson Shearer