Who invented the “need-a-penny-take-a-penny-got-a-penny-leave-a-penny” cup? I’m not sure the world will ever know. But thanks to him or her, we all live with a little less fear of being a few cents short of correct change at the convenience store or accidentally pumping an $10.02 worth of gas instead of $10 even.
I’ve often wondered how much money is held in those small cups around the country. According to my calculation, with over 150,000 convenience stores in the nation averaging 15 cents per cup, there should be almost $23,000 of free money just sitting out there.
You probably aren’t impressed by the $23,000 figure, right? No doubt you wouldn’t mind receiving a $23,000 check in the mail, but it’s not necessarily a “you’ve got to hear this” kind of fact.
Most people don’t see a lot of value in those cups. Case in point: when was the last time you read about a robbery targeting the change cup by the cash register?
It’s easy to overlook the value of the “need-a-penny-take-a-penny-got-a-penny-leave-a-penny” when you only see it from the perspective “now” perspective. In other words, if you only value the cup by how much change it holds right now, it seems rather insignificant.
But have you ever watched one of those cups for an entire day? Money goes in and out over and over again. Over a period of ten years, one single cup could facilitate thousands of dollars! Suddenly, the cup doesn’t seem so insignificant.
The key to understanding the true value of the cup is to consider what it holds throughout its lifetime –not just what it contains right now.
Right now it holds fifteen cents. Over the life of the cup it may hold fifteen thousand dollars!
It’s the same way with churches. Many times we value our churches by the “right now” method. We are tempted to devalue our congregation because “right now” we are struggling, “right now” a key family has moved away, “right now” another church in town is growing rapidly, or “right now” attendance is low.
But take another look at your church –this time, consider the life of the church. Think about the people who have passed through your church over the years. Do you see the generations of families who have raised their children in your church? Do you see the couples who grew during their short stay in your town? What about the legacies of members who have passed away? Have you considered the ripple effect your congregation has had on the community throughout the years?
“Right now” does not constitute the value of your church. “Right now” is simply a culmination of the past and a launching pad for the future.
The value of your church is found in Christ who purchased the church with His blood. Because of His death, burial, and resurrection, the church is a place where people discover the grace of Christ and share in the grace of Christ over generations. Sort of like a “need grace, receive grace; got grace, share grace” kind of place!
Just like the cup at the convenience store, your church may seem small “right now,” but there’s no telling how many people have experienced “just the change they needed” through your congregation!