When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me.” – Luke 15:9
Did you ever consider how money affects people’s emotions? When you earn it, you feel accomplishment. When you win it, you get excited. When you run low on finances, it may stir up conflict with a family member. When it is stolen, you become angry. When you lose it, you look for it diligently as in Jesus’ parable of the lost coin. A woman practically turns her house upside down looking for a coin, which was worth a considerable amount in that day. When she finds it, she tells her friends so they can celebrate with her (Luke 15:8-9). Money is important because it buys what is needed to maintain life.
In this parable, and others in Luke 15, Jesus describes the value of a lost soul. It is so important that when one repents, the angels in Heaven rejoice (Luke 15:10). Christ’s followers should have more concern for lost souls than they would if they lost something valuable, such as a diamond ring, a cell phone, or a thousand dollars. Believers show that they value souls in the way they respectfully share the gospel and live in faith and obedience to the Lord.
Pray that God will guide you in showing compassion for the lost. Pray for citizens and officials of the United States that they will receive Jesus as their Savior. It is tempting to become angry with people in leadership who appear to be fighting against faith in God and the Lord Jesus. With the same intensity that the woman looked for her lost coin, pray for their eternal souls.
Today’s Verse: Luke 15:9
And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Peter 3:8-17
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
