Valuable Mistakes

Living Lesson: Valuable Mistakes

By: Christopher Wiles

They may be in your car, in your piggy bank, or even in your pocket right now.  They are of immense value, more than you would ever think, and they may be near you now without you ever knowing it.

My family enjoyed a great visit with Dad this week in Smyrna, TN.  He really is doing better as he recovers from all his challenges in 2016 (thank you for praying for him).  Before we left, he began giving the kids each an old coin that from mom’s collection.  Pennies from 1876, buffalo nickels, mercury dimes were given but the item that really nabbed my attention was one that dad was looking for, a double printed penny.  He shared that these mistakenly double-imprinted one cent pieces could be valued at over $400 and are in circulation all around us.  Sure enough, a quick internet search showed that these mistakes from the mint could be valued at upwards of $1300!  Here’s an image of one from 1972 selling for $1,348.96. Notice the barely visible double imprint of “Liberty.” Who knew that a mistake could cost so much!?  Are you going to put effort to dig through the piggy bank to find a potential jackpot penny?

God is in the collecting business too, but He doesn’t seem to be too interested in misprinted coins, but rather paying for the sins of wayward men and women.  Yes, these people’s sins are all around you in public circulation and these costly mistakes include yours as well.   Yet God is willing to give much more than $1300 for your sins.  In fact, He’s already paid the most costly price He could come up with.  He sacrificed part of Himself in the nature of the Son, Jesus the Christ. Consider what is written in our Holy Scriptures. 

“For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” - 1 Corinthians 6:20

“You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” – 1 Corinthians 7:23

“There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all.” - 1 Timothy 2:5b-6a

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us … so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” – Galatians 3:13-14

You are so valuable to God that He has paid the price for your sins and He’s been actively seeking you and the people around you to add to His collection, His chosen people.  Yet, when He adds you, you don’t sit on a shelf somewhere gathering dust.  You are reserved for a spot of value in heaven with mansions and a crown so that you may enjoy being in His presence.  People are of value to God so treat yourself and others like a precious valuable coin.  Seek to join God’s collection and put forth effort to seek others for the same. You’ll be glad you did. 

Living Lessons are articles written for the weekly Washington Church of Christ bulletin.  You can find more by clicking HERE or searching for "Living Lesson" in the right sidebar search.