Some object lessons I use while teaching really stick with me through the years. This is one of them, called "Picking Up Pennies." It is adapted from a story found on Sermons4Kids.
"Picking Up Pennies" Story
In this true incident, a man was invited to bring his wife for the weekend to the estate of his corporate boss. The wife was excited, but nervous... and intimidated by the affluence. The first evening, they went out to dinner, traveling together in his car. She realized that car cost more than their home.
Upon arrival at the restaurant, and while heading from the parking lot, she noticed the boss stop. She watched as he stooped down and picked up... a lone coin... a penny. And he paused for a time, studying the coin before carefully placing it in his pocket, as if it were a great treasure. "How absurd!" the lady thought to herself. "Why would a wealthy man act like that over a penney?"
Then proceeding inside the restaurant, they were seated and placed their order for what promised to be a sumptuous and elegant meal.
Quoting from the author...
Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?
"Look at it," he said, "and read what it says.'
She read the words, "United States of America."
"No, not that; read further," he instructed her.
"One cent?’ she asked.
"No ma'am, keep reading."
"The words, In God we Trust?’
"Yes!’"
"And?" she queried, trying to get his point.
Pay Careful Attention to His Answer!!!
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him. Who am I to pass it by?
When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!”
Application
Go back and read through the man's answer! Is that not rich? (No pun intended.)
The author uses this to teach, "Be Still and Know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
Recently, I used it last to teach "Eternal Treasure: A Life that Puts God First." The Luke 12 story about the rich man wanting to build bigger barns was emphasized. Anytime you want to teach not trusting in riches, or putting God first, this would be a great object lesson.
Kids love to role play. Having them act out this little scenario is also memorable.
After teaching this, as the children left the room, they found pennies scattered on the floor, and were invited to stop and pick one up. Hopefully, it made the intended impression. It certainly did with me! I am surprised with how many pennies I am spotting on the ground. And when I find one, I stop... look at it carefully... and prayerfully ask myself that important question, "Am I trusting in God, right now at this very moment?"
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." ~Matthew 6:21
