No Big Deal

Bible Reading: Proverbs 6:16-19

“My baseball glove is missing!” Paxton said, scowling. “Derek probably took it. He’s always taking things that don’t belong to him.”

“I heard that, Paxton,” Derek said, coming into the room. “You make me sound like a thief!”

Mom raised her eyebrows. “So you don’t have Paxton’s glove?”

“Well—yeah, I do, but it’s not like I stole it. I just borrowed it. It’s no big deal!”

“It is to me,” said Paxton. “I’ve told you lots of times to ask if you want to use something that’s mine. Don’t just take it like you own it!”

Mom nodded. “Get your brother’s glove and return it to him.”

Silently, Derek did as he was told. When he came back with the glove, Mom had left the room, so he didn’t bother to say he was sorry.

As his mother was putting clothes into the washing machine later that day, Derek hurried in with a shirt. “Can you wash this for me? It has a big dirty spot on it.”

Mom inspected the shirt. “I’ve already got a big load. Why don’t you just wear something else? It’s no big deal, is it?”

“Yes, it is! Our basketball team is having our picture taken tomorrow, so I need this shirt.”

Mom looked at the shirt again. “All right. I guess there’s room for one more shirt.” She threw it into the washer. “You know, Derek, waiting a few days to wash your shirt didn’t seem like a big deal to me. But it did to you. A lot of times what seems like no big deal to one person is a big deal to somebody else. Like the glove incident. That was a big deal to

Paxton, remember?”

Derek sighed. “Yeah, I guess.”

“That’s why we need to think about how others see our actions—and more importantly, how God sees them. We may think doing something that’s wrong is no big deal, but God hates all sin—that’s why He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us. Sin is a big deal to Him.”

Derek nodded. “I’ll tell Paxton I’m sorry and remember to ask before using his stuff.”

“Good,” said Mom. “And remember to tell Jesus you’re sorry too.” – Wanda E. Brunstetter

How About You?

Do you feel like wrong things you do are no big deal? Think again. The Bible doesn’t call any sin little. Things you may consider small—like lying or being proud—are listed along with things you may think are a really big deal, like murder. God hates every sin. Confess your sin to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you, then stop doing it.

Today’s Key Verse:
Proverbs 28:13 Whoever confesses their sins and stops doing wrong will receive mercy. (ERV)

Today’s Key Thought:

No sin is small