25 Apr, 2007

Trash or treasure?

Would you rather be lucky or Godly?

Pair find winning lotto ticket in trash

FRANKFORT, Ind.- A couple picking up trash along a roadside found a winning scratch-off lottery ticket that led them to a $1,000 jackpot. Ronnie and Tina Abbott said they found a lottery ticket worth $15 Sunday while picking up garbage along a Clinton County road near Frankfort, about 55 miles northwest of Indianapolis.

The next day, they cashed in that ticket at a local store and bought one that turned out to be a $1,000 winner.

"It does pay to pick up trash," Tina Abbott said.

She and her husband haven't decided how they'll spend their winnings.

During their trash collection excursion, the couple also found three unopened cans of Billy Beer, a failed brand endorsed by former President Jimmy Carter's late brother, Billy Carter.

"That tells you how often it's cleaned out there," Tina Abbott said.

The couple collected 13 bags of trash and six tires over five hours Sunday. Tina Abbott said they decided to clean up the roadside because they grew tired of seeing the trash when they drove to and from their home.

photo courtesy images.google.com & story contracostratimes.com, 4/23/07

Ezekiel 7:18-20 (NLT)

18 They will dress themselves in burlap;
horror and shame will cover them.
They will shave their heads
in sorrow and remorse.

19 “They will throw their money in the streets,
tossing it out like worthless trash.
Their silver and gold won’t save them
on that day of the Lord’s anger.
It will neither satisfy nor feed them,
for their greed can only trip them up.
20 They were proud of their beautiful jewelry
and used it to make detestable idols and vile images.
Therefore, I will make all their wealth
disgusting to them.

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about a Godly perspective on possessions?

Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:

7:19 God's people had allowed their love of money to lead them into sin. For this, God would destroy them. Money has a strange power to lead people into sin. Paul said that "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). It is ironic that we use a gift of God - money - to buy things that separate us from Him. It is tragic that we spend so much money seeking to satisfy ourselves and so little time seeking God, the true source of satisfaction.

Someone in Indiana didn't take a close look at their lotto ticket and threw it away as trash. Another couple gets "lucky" because they were tired of seeing trash near their home and decided to clean things up.

Do we take a close look at the "treasures" God has given us? If we're pursuing worldly possessions rather than Godliness we're trashing the relationship and blessings that are part of being a follower of Jesus.

If we're willing to let God help us clean up our perspective on possessions, we will clearly see that we are rich beyond description.

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

  • Thank God for giving you, His child, the treasures of Heaven. Confess any way in which you have been trashing your relationship with Him.
  • For two weeks, keep a written journal of how you spend your time and what you are focusing on each day. Let Jesus use this evaluation to help you see if there are any changes needed?
  • Whenever you hear news reports on lotto winners, let Jesus remind you that you're already rich!

How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?

Use today's story about the "lucky" trash couple to start a conversation with others about the pursuit of possessions in this life. If your friend is pretty open to God's Story and your story of faith, you could talk about the fact that though much of the world likes to trash Jesus, you know that He has made you rich.

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God's Story is brought to you by Youth for Christ. YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.

Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.