Three Coins in the Fountain

While on vacation, I was sitting in the courtyard at a shopping mall, watching people come and go. Three teen girls walked by, and they all began looking in the fountain (one girl actually got in the fountain), trying to find quarters to keep for themselves. Alas, the biggest coins they could find were nickels, but mainly what they recovered were pennies. In disgust, one of the girls loudly announced, “Man, there’s nothing but cheap people around here!” Not finding enough nickels to get whatever it was they wanted, they threw them back in and walked away.

Several thoughts crossed my mind as I witnessed this. My first response was, “You’re diving in a shopping mall fountain and have the audacity to call people who put coins in it cheap?” Reflecting on how they were dressed, my next response was on how they were not in want or need for any necessity of life, but still didn’t have enough to satisfy them. I suppose it is an illustration of how materialistic the world has become.

I believe we’re probably all guilty, adults and young people, those outside of Christ and those in Christ, of not realizing what the concept of sacrifice involves. Yes, we’re familiar with Christ’s sacrifice for us, becoming flesh and blood and then literally offering Himself for our sins. The Hebrew writer reminds us, “But now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb. 9:26). Without this sacrifice we would have no hope for eternal life! What a price the Son of God paid for us.

The Son of God not only was willing to offer Himself as a sacrifice for us, but calls us to have that same attitude of heart, to develop a sacrificial lifestyle for Him. Paul writes, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service” (Rom. 12:1). We are to be so dedicated and committed to our Lord because of what He has offered us through Himself; we should freely give our lives in service to Him as a reflection of our love for Him, our walking in His image.

What are some ways we can live sacrificially to Jesus? The Hebrew writer tells us, “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15). Through our speech we should praise Christ, telling others what He has done that we might have life through Him. The writer also says, “And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Heb. 13:16). Not only in words but in deeds we show Christ in us, helping others and serving others as we have opportunity (Gal. 6:10).

Paul reminded the Corinthians that Jesus became poor through the incarnation that we might be rich spiritually in Him (2 Cor. 8:9). We are blessed in Him, with all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3), and everything for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). We should develop a sacrificial heart and life. I suppose we could go fountain diving, figuratively speaking, to have more and more for ourselves, or share with the riches Christ has blessed us, and find even greater blessings in return. What about you? “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Eph. 5:1-2 ).


Robert Johnson

The Junk Drawer

Almost every home has one somewhere, hidden from view. Sure, it started innocently enough, with just a few things here and there, but everyone kept adding to it. Over a period of weeks and months it increased in size to the point where something has to be done; it can’t be ignored any longer! Someone must clean out the "junk drawer."

Yes, most of our homes have a place reserved for junk, things we don't regularly use but don't want to throw away. It may be a cabinet drawer in the kitchen, or the hall closet, or the garage, but there it is, and it accumulates and clutters up so fast that finding anything becomes almost impossible. It is only with the greatest amount of courage we go to these places to sort things out, clean them up, and provide order once more.

Unfortunately, our lives can resemble a junk drawer. We can allow so many things to occupy our time and clutter our lives, there is no room left for what is really important. Or, perhaps we allow sinful things to enter our hearts and take root in our lives, things we want to keep hidden from others, things which can grow and turn us away from God. Only with a renewed commitment spiritually will we find the courage to take inventory of our lives and sort out what is important from what is not, what should come first from what must follow, what activities we should cease and what should take their place.

The affirmation of Jesus still holds true; "But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33). Putting God first keeps our priorities clear, letting us walk each day in fellowship with Him and the cleansing the blood of His Son provides (1 John 1:7). Putting God first keeps us focused and pure, offering a more consistent and peaceful existence than that which allows sin to accumulate, only to be dealt with later.

Let us rejoice in the love of God offered in Christ Jesus. Let us reflect on what we have in Him and the importance of His will in our lives. May we clean out the junk of sin and neglect from the hidden places in our hearts, that we can find what is truly important and needful for our lives.

Robert Johnson