Good-for-nothing Jacob
GOOD-FOR-NOTHING JACOB
Read Matthew 5:13-16.
In the express lane at the store, Jacob stood on one foot and then the other. He had promised Mrs. Moore he’d bring her some brown sugar.
The conversation of the two men in front of him caught his attention. “I’m telling you,” complained one, “my grandson is good for nothin’. His folks hire someone to mow the lawn while that kid sits by his computer.”
“Yep,” the other agreed, “the younger generation is spoiled rotten.” Jacob fumed.
When Jacob handed Mrs. Moore her brown sugar and change, she tried to return the change to him. “No thanks,” said Jacob.
Mom was just getting her coat on when Jacob arrived home. “Jacob, watch Emily for me, please,” she said. “I need to run a few errands.” Jacob nodded. Then he watched Emily play on the swing set while he trimmed a hedge.
At the dinner table that evening, Jacob repeated the conversation he had heard at the supermarket. “Well, they did have a point,” said Dad.
Mother looked up. “Don, are you saying that Jacob is good for nothing?”
“Well,” said Dad, “today he ran an errand for Mrs. Moore. What did you get paid for that, Son?”
Jacob shrugged. “Nothing.”
“And then you babysat Emily for your mother, and it looks like you trimmed the hedge for me. What did you get paid for those jobs?”
“Well, nothing,” Jacob responded.
“Then I guess you’re good for nothing, Jacob.” Dad laughed. “And I reckon there are a lot more kids out there who are just as good for nothing as you are.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you expect to be paid for everything you do? Start doing at least one good deed a day for nothing. In heaven you will be rewarded for the things done for nothing.
TO MEMORIZE:
Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
Matthew 6:20
DO GOOD—FOR NOTHING.
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