You may smile at the title of this post. After all, there is really not much you can do with five dollars. At least, that’s the way it seems.

Almost 2 weeks ago on Wednesday night (when we have church-wide services and activities), I left the church building with one of our pastors later in the night. The hallway was lighted but not really as much light as we would have at normal times.

We both checked the doors that we went out to make sure they were locked and then we said something like, “Have a good evening.”

At that point we started heading our separate ways. Right in front of me was a piece of paper on the concrete. As is my custom, I reached down to pick it up so that I could put it in the trashcan which was only a few yards behind me.

It was not a piece of paper. It was a five dollar bill. I, of course, didn’t know to whom it belonged, and I still don’t.

I immediately began assuming some things. I assumed it belonged to a child. We have a lot of children on Wednesday nights and most of them use that entrance.

I also assumed it belonged  to a child because children will carry cash in a pocket rather than a wallet or purse.

Of course, it may have been an adult. It really bothered me that it might belong to a child because I remembered when I learned the value of a dollar. I lost a dollar bill in downtown Brantley (not a very large area, only one block long) and I remember vividly my mother taking me by the hand and retracing all of my steps to try to find that dollar bill. We never did find it, and I still remember it vividly.

That taught me an important lesson about money. Here are some of the lessons we should remember about money and our use of it.

First, money is hard to earn and hard to keep. One of the best things you can ever teach your children is how difficult it is to make money and to make a living. I marvel at young adults who are getting married or going out on their own who don’t know about things like insurance, housing costs, and the myriad of goods and services you need to live in the modern world. We obviously need to teach our children about the value of money.

Second, we all need to learn that everything we have is a gift from God. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Everything we have should be used with Him in mind. It would be good for us to ask the question, “Would God be pleased with my using this money in this way?”

Third, we need to learn what good things money can provide. We need to understand that money can be used to preach the gospel, send missionaries, feed the hungry, and make a difference in people’s lives.

Jesus emphasized this when He talked to his disciples about money. He reminded them that we have a responsibility to God for the way we use our material possessions.

Notice how significant Jesus placed this responsibility: “And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s [God’s lending you possessions], who will give you that which is your own [God’s gift of eternal life]?” (Luke 16:12).

When we look at a five dollar bill with these things in mind, it can buy a great deal.

What will you use your money to do?

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