Why I Still Pick Up Pennies

There he was again, Abe Lincoln staring up at me from the grocery store parking lot. He wasn't as shiny as always. He was a little scuffed up. But he was still there, alone, unwanted, and as always, I picked him up and put him in my pocket. My Papa Tatum has always told me to only pick up the pennies that are face side up, because he says they are lucky and you will have bad luck if you don't. But I pick them all up, and there are several reasons why:

1. I pick up pennies because some people don't have any. My grandparents lived through the depression and they would have been happy to have them. Pennies still hold value, and in principle they are somewhat priceless. Stewardship and respect for hard work should cause people not to throw money away, no matter how small.

2. I pick up pennies because of what they say: "In God We Trust." I am thankful that our official national currency still has God's name on it. God is mentioned less and less in our society as time continues. I am happy to cling to those things that still honor God's name.

3. I pick up pennies because children have piggy banks. Don't ever cast away or overlook anything that a child may cherish. A penny may mean nothing to the common person, but give one to a child and they will smile and love you for it. You can build special relationships even with pennies.

4. I pick up pennies because the small things matter. Life is not a series of huge events, it is a daily walk with God and His creation. The little things define us. Our character is shaped by what we do in areas that may seem somewhat insignificant. Jesus said, "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much" (Luke 16:10).

5. I pick up pennies because that is what my father would do. My dad taught me to work hard. He taught me to be giving. He taught me to take good care of the things with which I have been entrusted. He taught me to live honorably. My dad would pick up every penny, because the accumulation of pennies will lead to a blessing for someone else. Jesus taught his disciples that the widow's two mites were of greater value than all the riches of the pharisees - not because of what they were worth, but because of what she did with them. I believe that if Jesus were on earth today, he would pick up every penny. He would use them to the glory of his Father.

Therefore, so will I.

"And the Lord said, 'Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?'" ~ Luke 12:42