Kid finds $50 in ATM machine

Our youngest son David Elijah found a $50 note in the ATM machine at the Bouldercombe Fuel Station on Tuesday morning.  I think he thought it was amazing to be holding such a large amount of money. 

Some poor person (perhaps a pensioner, or someone unemployed) either forgot to collect their money, or didn’t take all of their money.  Either way $50 is a lot to miss, and also a lot of money for someone who is only 8 years old. 

What would the right thing be to do in this situation?

Undoubtedly if you or I had lost the money, we would be most grateful if it was kept for us and we were able to have it back.  Given that the Lord Jesus said to “do unto others as you would have them do to you,” then it was obvious that to keep the money would not have been the right thing to do.

David Elijah did the right thing and handed the money over to the attendants at the fuel station, and they put it aside for whenever the right person returned. 

It can be tempting in such situations to pocket the money and walk away – no one would even know.  The Lord knows however.  In these situations doing the right always brings a reward because the eyes of the Lord are on us watching what we do – and even if people never see and give recognition or reward, the Lord is able to honour us in ways we could not imagine. 

This whole experience was a great lesson for our son – and the strength it took to not keep the $50 will be greatly rewarded in our sons life, character and future.