The Missing Coin

Jesus told another story to show how much every person matters to God.

A woman had ten silver coins. They were important to her. One day she counted them and discovered that one was missing.

She looked again. One, two, three… nine. The tenth coin was gone!

The coin could not call out or walk back. The woman would have to find it.

She lit a lamp to brighten her house. Light reached the dark corners. She looked beside her things and along the wall. Still no coin.

Then she picked up a broom.

The woman began to sweep the floor. She moved the dust carefully and bent down to look. She did not want to miss a corner.

Although she still had nine coins, she kept searching. The missing one was valuable too.

Suddenly she saw a tiny sparkle.

She picked up the coin. It was the one she had lost!

Her worry turned to joy. She wanted to share the good news.

“I found it! Come and celebrate with me!”

She called her friends and neighbors. They could all rejoice together.

Jesus explained that God's angels rejoice when someone turns away from wrong and comes back to him.

The coin was still valuable in the dust. Every person is still precious to God too.

We can help a new child feel welcome. We can listen to someone who is sad and ask a grown-up for help when needed.

You do not need to be famous to matter. God loves you and wants you close to him.

Jesus tells us a story, and his love stays with us.