October 17 – “The Jesus Dollars”

We had a pretty lively discussion last night at home group.  It centered on an activity from the week before.  I gave each person two dollars and challenged them to use it in some positive, God-honoring way, and then come back and share what they did.  Our Bible study series has centered on discovering how to have joy in the midst of our work (or in some cases, in spite of it).  Last week the emphasis was on looking for creative ways to recognize and meet the needs of people around us.

One couple couldn’t be there last night, but they were careful to text me the results of, in Corey’s words, their “Jesus dollars.”  Janell used hers when a coworker who is diabetic found herself having some difficulty and needing something to eat quickly.  She was fumbling around trying to find some money for the vending machine, and began asking if anyone had any money on them so she could get something to eat.  Janell remembered her two dollars and saved the day.  Corey gave his as part of a department collection being taken up for the family of a coworker who was killed in a car accident that occurred, coincidentally, on the very afternoon of our Bible Study.  Bryan was a bit surprised when a fellow worker asked if he would buy some pecan pie to help the kids from his church pay for an event.  The cost?  Two dollars.  Bryan donated his money and refused the pie.  Jennifer appeared the most taken by the challenge.  She prayed about it every day, and talked with her husband often.  Finally she added some of her own money to it and gave it to the lady who was hosting another Bible study she attends.  The hostess always has refreshments available and never asks for help with the cost.  Chris and I used ours to go toward purchasing some paper goods for the Whiteman family, since they would be hosting a houseful of friends and relatives.  Didn’t make a big deal of it, though.  We just snuck it into their garage and added it to a table we found with some paper towels already on it. 

It is always exciting to me when someone “gets it” regarding a Bible study, especially when it involves a practical application like this one did.  It makes the teaching part go so much easier when they have seen first-hand how it translates into real life right now. 

2 Corinthians 8:9 says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

Father, thank you for the abundance of your sacrifice for us.  Help us learn to live through the petty sacrifices we are called on to make.  Amen.