The Coin Collection

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:27; Matthew 22:15-21

“Grandpa’s here!” Koda called as his grandfather drove into the yard.

“He said he was going to bring some coins for your collection, didn’t he?” said Koda’s sister, Gwen. “I wonder what kind he has.”

After greeting everyone, Grandpa put a bag full of coins on the table. “I thought you might like these, Koda. I got most of them in various countries I visited when I traveled in Europe on business many years ago.”

“There are lots of different kinds,” Gwen observed after looking them over.

“Yes, and that’s changed,” Grandpa said. “Now most of the countries in Europe use the same kind of money—they use euros.”

As they looked at the coins more closely, Gwen held out several of them. “All of these have somebody’s picture on one side.”

Grandpa nodded. “Many countries put pictures of important people—often their rulers—on their coins.” He picked up one that looked very old. “This is an old Roman coin I bought in Italy. It has a picture of one of the Caesars. He’s not living anymore, but he was alive when the coin was made.”

“That reminds me of my lesson at church last week,” said Koda. “When people asked if they should give money to Caesar, Jesus asked them whose image was on the coin. They said it was Caesar’s, and then Jesus told them they should give Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and give God the things that are God’s.”

“Right,” said Grandpa, “and we should do that too. If we’re to give to God the things that are His, what would that be?”

“I don’t know,” replied Koda. “I don’t think any coins have God’s picture on them, do they? We don’t even know what God looks like.”

Gwen was almost jumping up and down. “Coins don’t have God’s image, but people do!” she exclaimed. “The Bible says God created humans in His own image—so I guess we should give Him ourselves!”

“That’s right!” said Grandpa. “And how do we do that?”

“I know,” said Koda. “By trusting in Jesus!”

Grandpa nodded. “When we trust Him as our Lord and Savior, we become God’s children, and He makes us able to live our lives for Him.” Agnes Maddy

How About You?

Do you give God the things that are His? Actually, everything already belongs to Him, but He specifically created you in His own image. Jesus died and rose again to save you from sin, and He wants you to willingly give Him your whole self. That means trusting Him as your Savior and becoming His child. Give God what is His by giving Him yourself! (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)

Today’s Key Verse:
Romans 12:1 I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Give yourself to God