6 Dec, 2011

A Penny Saved ...

If Laws Change, 'Penny Hoarders' Could Cash in on Thousands of Dollars
 
Joe Henry is on a first name basis with bank tellers across his hometown of Medford, Ore., scouring 15 banks a week with one thing on his mind: pennies.
Henry is often seen toting around bags of pennies, some he buys, others he changes back in for cash, which seems a little strange at first. He's not a collector, he is what's known as a "penny hoarder" and he is not alone.
Inside a shed next to his house, Henry has orange tubs filled with 200,000 pennies, and he spends hours sorting through roll after roll of the coins. But it's not just any and all pennies, Henry is only interested in those that are dated from 1982 and earlier because those are the coins made with 95 percent copper. A copper penny is worth more than other pennies -- now mostly made of zinc -- currently priced at $0.024.
 
Click here for the full story. 
 
Story and Photo from news.yahoo.com. 
Matthew 6:19-24 (ESV)
 
Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
 22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

 24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about saving for the future?
When we think about Christmas in our culture, the idea of saving is probably not front and center in our minds. We are most likely thinking of shopping, gift giving, and gift getting.  Some apparently are thinking about pennies. While preparing for the future isn't a bad idea, God's Story reminds us of the importance or how we invest our resources and our lives.  

How can I connect today's God's Story to My Life?
  • As you are getting ready to celebrate Christmas, consider turning your focus to ideas that would store up treasures in heaven instead of in this life. 
  • Talk with God and ask Him to direct your steps toward those who are in need in your community.
How can I connect Today's Story, God's Story, and My Story with Others?
  • Talk with your parents about adopting a family in need in your community and provide Christmas for that family.
  • Call the local Salvation Army ask if you can volunteer your time as a bell ringer in their Kettle Drive.
  • Challenge some friends to a bigger and better challenge. Here's how it works ... give each friend one penny. Challenge them to ask someone they know if they will trade them the penny for a larger amount of money (cash only). Take that money and go to someone else to trade again. Set a time to see who can collect the most money and give it to a local food pantry to purchase meals for people in need.
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