Bags of Cash
Friday - May 29th
Scripture to Read for Today's Devotional: Acts 20:33-35
Today's Selection from our Sermon on the Mount Reading Plan: Matthew 5:33-37
It is more blessed to give than to receive. -Jesus
Acts 20:35
Last Saturday, a family suffering from cabin fever due to the stay-at-home order in Virginia went out for a drive. According to a report, they stumbled upon two bags of cash totaling over $1 million. David and Emily Schantz were driving with their children and found the bags lying out in the middle of the street. But, they did not know what they had discovered at first. The wheels of their pickup drove over what they thought was trash. After stopping and putting the bags in the car so the garbage would not spread all over the area, they completed a few errands and headed home.
It wasn't until they arrived home and examined the contents that they realized the bags were stuffed with cash - one million dollars of it. "Inside of the bags, there were plastic baggies, and they were addressed with something that said 'cash vault,'" David Schantz told local media. David and Emily reached out to the local sheriff's office to report their find. Deputies did some research and discovered where the cash came from and to what location it was headed. But, they would not share that information with the Schantz family or anyone in the media. But, they did say that those who lost the money indicated that it had all been returned.
What would you have done? Would you have called authorities? Would you have tried to keep some of the money? Would you have demanded some type of reward?
Money does unusual things to us. People typically very honest can quickly compromise their integrity if they think no one will notice or that they will never get caught. While the Scriptures do not say, "Money is the root of all evil," the Bible does say, "The love of money is the root of all evil."
As Paul returned to Jerusalem to face the consequences of spreading the Gospel, he stopped to see the elders of the church at Ephesus. Acts chapter 20 explains the interaction Paul had with his former Gospel co-workers. He knew he might not see them again. Which he did not. After reminding them of his ministry at Ephesus for more than three years, Paul talked about the integrity he sought to maintain. Part of what he spoke of had to do with the poor and hurting. He gave of his hard work, abilities, and resources to help those in need. He then quoted Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
David and Emily Schantz gave in their own way, but they gave. They contacted authorities and found the owner of the money. They indicated to various media outlets that they felt so satisfied knowing the money was given back to its rightful owner.
Are you grasping and trying to amass wealth that you believe will bring ultimate satisfaction? Are you caught up in the stuff of this world? Take everything you own (car, house, clothes, etc.) and commit it to the Lord. Pray over the biggest and smallest items you can think of. Remind yourself you are a part of a different kind of kingdom, and that kingdom has a different type of king.
When we live according to God's Kingdom values, the love of money fades as we grow in Christ. We learn it truly is more blessed to give than receive!