Jesus' Parable Of The Lost Coin

 The Parable of the Lost Coin

Meta Description: Join Jesus as He tells a heartwarming parable  of the lost coin, a determined woman, and the great joy she found when something precious is recovered. 

Parable of the lost coin bible verses - Luke 15:8-10

Or what woman, having ten silver coins,[ if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?

And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Parable of the Lost Sheep.

The Ten Silver Coins Were A Woman's Treasure

Jesus gathered the children to tell them the Parable of the Lost Coin. Imagine, if you will, a village not far from here, perhaps like your own, nestled among the olive trees and dusty paths. In this village lived a woman. Now, in our time, a woman’s silver coins were not just for buying bread or cloth. Often, these ten silver coins, called drachmas, were her very own special treasure, perhaps given to her by her family as a wedding gift. She would wear a beautiful headband of coins to show she was married and to keep her wealth safe (Monson, 2017). Think of these ten coins as a precious part of her identity, her savings, her security.

This woman, like many in our villages, lived in a simple mud-brick house. Her floor was probably just packed earth, sometimes covered with straw or reeds. The rooms could be quite dark, even during the day, because windows were small, meant more for keeping out the hot sun or cold winds than letting in much light.

The Search for the Lost Coin Begins!

One sunny morning, as she went about her daily chores – perhaps grinding grain with a hand mill to make flour for bread, or perhaps sorting lentils – she touched her precious headband. And then, her heart leaped! One of her ten coins was gone! Just one.

Now, why was this so upsetting? That missing, lost coin meant more than just money. It was part of her special treasure. Can you imagine how she felt? Sad? Worried? Yes, all of those things!

So, what did she do? Did she give up? No! She did not sit idly. Oh no, my dears, she was determined!

First, she lit a lamp. Even though it might have been daytime outside, inside her humble home, there were dark corners where a tiny coin could hide. The flickering flame would help her see into every crevice (Jeremias, 1969).

Then, she began to sweep the house. Not just a quick brush, but diligently, carefully, sweeping every inch of that earthen floor. Maybe she got down on to the floor, pushing the dirt and dust this way and that way. Maybe her eyes scanned the floor left and right, back and forth, hoping, praying to see that glint of silver. 

She would look under the sleeping mats, behind the large clay storage jars, and in every crack. She would make a patient, thorough search, as careful as a shepherd looking for a lost lamb in the hills of Judea.

Rejoicing with Friends When The Lost Coin Was Found

And then, children, imagine the moment! Her lamp beam catches something, a tiny sparkle! With a cry of joy, she reaches down, and there it is – her lost silver coin! Her heart filled with happiness, like a burst of sunshine after a storm!

Did she keep this joy to herself? No! That would not be our custom. When something wonderful happens, we share our joy! She went out, perhaps to the courtyard or the village well where women gathered. She called her friends and neighbors. "Rejoice with me!" she exclaimed, "for I have found the coin that I had lost!" And they did rejoice with her, because in our close-knit communities, one person’s joy is everyone’s joy. They understood how important that coin was to her.

God's Rejoices In The Presence Of The Angels When One Lost Human Being Who Repents Of Their Sins

Now, why do I tell you this story about a woman and her lost coin? Listen closely, my little ones, for this is the most important part.

Just like that woman searched with all her heart for that one lost coin, and just like she rejoiced so greatly when she found it, even more wonderful is the joy in heaven! I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents!

Do you know what "repents" means? It means when someone who has perhaps wandered away, like that coin was lost, turns their heart back to God. When they realize they want to be close to God again, and they decide to change their ways, there is a great celebration in Heaven!

Each one of you is more precious than any silver coin, more valuable than all the treasures in the world. And just as the woman cared deeply for her coin, God cares for each of you infinitely more. 

Each human was born as a sinner and is lost in sin. God rejoices greatly in Heaven whenever anyone turns away from sinning and begins to live righteously.

God is always looking for you in order to save you from sins and from hell. He is, pleading for you to turn to Him. When you do so, there is immense joy in heaven. You are never forgotten, never unloved.

Read this article on how to receive eternal life in order to find your way to God and repent of your sins.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What kind of houses did people live in during Jesus' time? A: Most people lived in simple mud-brick houses with earthen floors, often with small windows to keep out the heat or cold.

Q2: Why was one silver coin so important to the woman? A: For many women in ancient Israel, a set of ten silver coins (drachmas) was a special family treasure, sometimes worn as a headband to show status and wealth, making each coin very valuable to her.

Q3: How did people make flour for bread in those days? A: Women often used a hand mill to grind grains like wheat or barley into flour, a daily chore that was essential for their food.

Q4: What does "repents" mean in the story? A: "Repents" means to turn your heart back to God, to  change your ways from sinning and to live righteously according to the Word of God (bible). It’s like finding your way home after being lost.

Conclusion

So, my dear children, remember the woman and her lost coin. Remember her diligent search, her great joy, and the shared celebration. And always, always remember that God's love for you is even greater. You are His precious treasure, and there is immense joy in heaven when you repent of your sins and begin to live for Him.

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References

Jeremias, J. (1969). The Parables of Jesus (Completely Rev. Ed.). Charles Scribner's Sons.

Monson, J. (2017). Women of the Old Testament: Inspiring You to Live with Strength and Courage. Deseret Book Company. (Note: While this specific reference focuses on the Old Testament, the cultural practice of women wearing coins as a display of wealth and status, often as part of a dowry or wedding gift, extends into the intertestamental and New Testament periods in the region. This is a common point of discussion in biblical customs studies.)

Jesus' Parable Of The Talents:

Meta Description: Join Jesus as He shares a timeless story about the parable of the talents. Discover how even little ones can learn to be good stewards of the money that God puts in our hands. 

My dear children, gather 'round, for I have another parable to tell you, a story about a man who was going on a long journey, just like some of your fathers might travel to distant towns for trade or to visit family.

A Journey and Important Business

Now, in our land, people often traveled for many reasons. Sometimes, they would go to Jerusalem three times a year for the great feasts, or perhaps to the bustling markets in cities like Capernaum or Jericho to sell their olives, grapes, or fish. This man, a wealthy landowner, had many servants who helped him care for his fields and flocks, and manage his household. Before he left for his long journey, he called three of his trusted servants to him. He had important business for them to tend to while he was away.

He gave each of them some of his precious coins, called talents. A talent was a very large sum, and is valued about about  200 pounds in weight. A talent of gold was more money than most people would see in a lifetime! It was like giving them a whole big sack of gold coins, enough to buy many sheep, or even a small piece of land!

The Employer Gave Money To His Servants To Invest

The employer gave five talents to the first servant. To the second, he gave two talents, while he gave one talent to the third. He gave to each according to their ability, knowing what each one could handle. He was just like a shepherd that knows which sheep can graze on the highest mountains and which need to stay closer to the safe pastures. He then said to them, "Go now, and do business with this while I am away." And with that, he set off on his journey.

The First Servant Doubled His Investment To 10 Talents

The first servant, with his five talents, was very diligent. He didn't just sit and wait; he went out and traded! Perhaps he bought fine cloth from Damascus and sold it in the markets of Tiberias. Maybe he invested in more olive groves, knowing that good olive oil was always in demand. 

This first servant worked hard, day in and day out. He worked just like your fathers work in the fields under the hot sun, or like your mothers as they spin wool into warm clothing. And guess what? He doubled his master's money! He turned five talents into ten! Isn't that wonderful?

The Second Servant Doubled His Investment To 4 Talents

The second servant, with his two talents, was also very wise. He didn't compare himself to the first servant, saying, "Oh, I only have two!" No, he went out and did business with what he had. Maybe he bought some fertile land and planted a vineyard, knowing that good wine was always sought after, especially during feasts. 

He worked with all his might, just as a fisherman mends his nets carefully or a potter shapes his clay with skill. And he, too, doubled his master's money, turning two talents into four!

The Third Servant Did Not Invest His Talent

But then there was the third servant, who had received only one talent. He didn't go out and do business. Instead, he dug a hole in the ground and hid his employer's money there. In our land, where there were no big banks like you see today, sometimes people would bury their treasures to keep them safe from robbers. But this servant hid it out of fear. He was afraid he might lose it, or that he wouldn't do a good job. He didn't trust his master, and he didn't trust himself.

The Employer's Return: A Time for Reckoning

After a long time, the employer returned. Imagine the excitement in the household as he rode back into the courtyard! It was time for him to settle accounts with his servants.

He called the first servant. The servant came forward, beaming, and said, "Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more!" The employer was overjoyed! He said, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master!" He was so pleased that he gave him even more responsibility and welcomed him into his celebration.

Then came the second servant. He said, "Sir, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more!" And the employer  replied, just as warmly, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master!" He, too, was welcomed into his employer's joyful celebration.

Finally, the third servant came forward, looking a bit nervous. He said, "Sir, I knew you to be a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours."

Oh, my dear children, his employer was not pleased. He said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant! You knew that I harvest where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I should have received what was my own with interest!" 

Even if the third servant was afraid to trade, he could have put the money with someone who would make it grow a little, just like a farmer plants a tiny seed that grows into a big, strong plant.

And then, the master commanded, "Take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance. But from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Meaning Of The Parable Of The Talents

My children, this story teaches us a very important truth. You see, the employer represents God, our Heavenly Father. The talents represent all the wonderful gifts He gives to us: your brilliant minds, your nimble hands, your kind hearts, your voices to sing praises, your feet to run and play. Any special gift that you have is a talent, like drawing, singing and other things that you can do well.

God gives each of you unique gifts and abilities. He doesn't want you to bury them or hide them away out of fear. He wants you to use them! When you use your gifts, whether it's sharing your toys, helping a friend, learning new things, or using your hands to create, you are like the good and faithful servants who doubled their master's money. You are growing what God has given you! And when you use your gifts for good, you bring joy to God and to others.

Remember, God loves you and has given you so much. What will you do with the precious gifts He has given you? Will you use them and make them grow? Or will you hide them away?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a "talent" in this story?

A: In this story, a "talent" was a large amount of money, usually silver. It wasn't like the "talent" we use today to mean a special skill. It was a measure of wealth, showing how much the employer trusted his servants.

Q2: Why was the third servant called "wicked and lazy"?

A: The third servant was called wicked and lazy not just because he didn't make more money, but because he didn't even try. He let his fear stop him from doing anything, and he didn't trust his master's generosity. He also had a wrong idea about his employer, thinking he was too harsh.

Q3: What does this story mean for us today?

A: This story teaches us that God gives each of us gifts and abilities. He wants us to use these gifts, to grow them, and to serve others with them. It's about being faithful with what we have, no matter how big or small it seems.

Conclusion

So, my dear little ones, remember the story of the talents. Look around you and see all the wonderful things God has given you. How can you use your hands, your minds, and your hearts to grow His gifts? Will you share your joy, learn something new, or help someone in need? 

Jesus wants us to know that one day He will reward all those who use their talents to bring glory to His name. Those who bury their talents by refusing to invest them in His Kingdom will be cast into the lake of fire. 

Every little act of kindness and effort to learn is like planting a seed that will grow into something beautiful. Go now, and be good stewards of the wonderful gifts God has given you!

Read about how to receive eternal life.

Jesus' Parable Of The Talents Matthew 25: 14 - 30 NKJV

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 

17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 

18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 

19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 

21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 

22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 

23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 

27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 

28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 

30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Jesus' Parable Of The Talents References

Bailey, K. E. (2008). Jesus through Middle Eastern eyes: Cultural studies in the Gospels. IVP Academic.

Borowski, O. (2003). Daily life in Biblical times. Society of Biblical Literature.

Esler, P. F. (2004). Conflict and identity in Romans: The social setting of Paul's letter. Fortress Press.

Fee, G. D., & Stuart, D. (2014). How to read the Bible for all its worth (4th ed.). Zondervan.

Freedman, D. N., Myers, A. C., & Beck, A. B. (Eds.). (2000). Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.

Wright, N. T. (2006). Matthew for everyone, Part 2: Chapters 16-28. Westminster John Knox Press.