Your Son for a Quarter

When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone to “do the right thing” or “say the right thing” for the cause of Jesus Christ?  When was the last time you failed to speak up for Christ?  We must always remember that people are watching us – often in the same ways that children watch their parents.  Our neighbors know if we go to church on Sunday mornings; people hear words we speak when we are angry or frustrated.  Whether we are aware or not, our lives are examples to others.  Our friends notice how we respond to tragedy or loss.  We may feel insignificant or of little worth, but someone is always watching and taking note.  

More importantly, God is watching and listening, too.  II Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord roam through the earth to show Himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to Him”.  

I do not know who wrote this little story but it speaks of this truth: Several years ago, a new preacher moved to Houston, Texas.  Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.  When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.  As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, “You’d better give the quarter back.  It would be wrong to keep it.”  Then he thought, “Oh, forget it; it’s only a quarter.  Who would worry about this little amount?  Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it.  Accept it as a ‘gift from God’ and keep quiet.”

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door and then handed the quarter to the driver and said, “Here, you gave me too much change.”  The driver with a smile replied, “Aren’t you the new preacher in town?  I have been thinking lately about going to worship somewhere.  I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change.  I’ll see you at church on Sunday.”  When the preacher stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, “Oh God, I almost sold Your Son for a quarter!”

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.  We might be the only “Jesus” someone knows.  This is a really an almost scary example of how much people watch us as Christians and put us to the test!  Always be on guard and remember (as I try to remember) that you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself “Christian”.  Let us ask God for forgiveness when we know we have missed an opportunity to acknowledge Him.  Let us ask that the little “lights” of our lives will shine brightly for others to see Christ!