FIRST GLIMPSE: Finding Grant

I found Grant lying flat on his back in a shadowy hallway between Ancient Egypt and the dinosaur exhibits. As usual, I had lagged far behind the rest of the energetic third-grade field trippers as I stopped to read every placard in the natural history museum. (My wife would say some things never change.)

When I spotted the fifty, I froze. After a quick glance around, I darted over, picked up the worn bill, and shoved it deep into my pocket. I had never held a fifty, much less owned one. My heart raced as I took another furtive look up and down the hallway, with the old playground chant echoing in my head: “Finders keepers; losers weepers.” Seeing no one watching, I scampered to catch up with the rest of my class.

Where, moments earlier, I could hardly wait to see the brontosaurus, T-rex, and triceratops sculptures, suddenly my mind was filled with images of all the wonderful things I could buy with my newfound wealth. My heart raced and palms sweated as remote-controlled helicopters, Hot Wheels™ cars, Pop-Rocks™ candy (my favorite), and a thousand other images flitted across my imagination.

“It’s not yours.”

The thought hit me like a lightning bolt. I immediately pushed it away…hard. “Of course, it’s mine. I found it.”

“It’s not yours.”

The thought followed me into the Jurassic exhibit and through the rest of the museum. My heart-pounding elation slowed gradually into feet-dragging agony. Young as I was, I knew that still, small voice. And, I knew what He wanted me to do.

When the tour reached its end, and my noisy classmates flooded the gift shop with excitement, I walked slowly to the information desk and looked up sadly at the museum receptionist. “Can I help you?” she asked.

I slowly pulled Grant from my pocket and handed him over. “I found this.”

A big smile quickly replaced the surprised look on her face. “I am so glad you found this,” she gushed. “An elderly man lost this while visiting the museum with his grandkids earlier today. Thank you for being honest.”

I gave her a half-hearted smile and turned dejectedly to walk away.

“Young man.”

At her call, I turned back. The still-smiling lady was extending a five-dollar-bill over the counter. “This is for you! The gentleman wanted to reward anyone who might turn in his lost money.”

Woo-hoo! Five minutes later, I bought enough Pop-Rocks to share with my entire class! That day taught some simple lessons about money that I have never forgotten:

• Money can master you if you let it (Matthew 6:24).
  

• Obeying God’s money mandates doesn’t always make sense, at least by human
  standards (Matthew 19:21).
  

• It’s hard, but necessary, to be content with what you “don’t have” (Philippians 4:11-13).
  

• God may have bigger plans for your money than you do (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
  

• Managing money God’s way always has its reward…even if you don’t see it until eternity
  (1 John 2:15-17).

About the Columnist: Eric K. Thomsen is managing editor of ONE Magazine. Email: eric@nafwb.org.