Trash or Treasure

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; James 2:1-4, 8-9 “Look what I found!” Juniper called as she ran down the steps of her aunt’s house. She had been looking through a pile of old stuff in the attic that her aunt was going to throw out. “Look! This old fruit jar has 1898 stamped on the bottom!” Juniper said, showing her find to her aunt. “It looks like one I saw that was worth a lot on an antique show my dad watches.” Aunt Claire smiled. “Well, you found this one, so you can keep it. But you’ll have to clean it up.” “Oh, I will!” Juniper beamed with pleasure as she went to clean the jar. When she finished, she brought the jar back and put it on the table. “Wow!” Aunt Claire said. “That looks like a whole new jar! By the way, Juniper, do you remember Becca who lives next door? She’s coming over pretty soon. I thought you’d like to have someone to play with.” Juniper groaned. “What’s the problem?” asked Aunt Claire. Juniper shrugged. “Becca’s family is…well…different, and she acts kind of weird. She’s not a Christian, and I seriously doubt she’ll ever become one. She doesn’t seem like someone who would, if you know what I mean.” Aunt Claire picked up Juniper’s jar. “Juniper, look at this jar—now that it’s cleaned up, it looks beautiful. Just think—it was in the trash pile. Until today, no one realized its value and saved it.” She turned the jar in her hands. “In a way, Becca is like this jar—and you and I are too.” “How are we like that jar?” Juniper asked. “Well, at one time we were in the trash pile of sin,” said Aunt Claire. “But Jesus found us, washed us, and made us new. He saved us from sin and gave us new life. We are valuable to Him, and Becca is valuable too—so valuable that Jesus died for her. He can save her and give her a whole new life, and He wants you to help her see how valuable she is by showing her His love.” Aunt Claire handed Juniper the jar, and she held it in her hands a moment before putting it back on the table. “Okay, Aunt Claire. I will.” –Barbara J. Westberg How about you? Do you see every person as valuable—even those who are different from you? God made everyone, and He values each person. He values them so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die so they could be saved from sin. Spend time with those who are different from you and let them know how valuable they are. Let them see God’s love in the way you treat them and value them. Today's Key Verse: If you are treating one person as more important than another, you are sinning. James 2:9 (ERV) Today's Key Thought: Every person is valuable