MAY 20, Matthew 16:26

“You may show this necklace to your class, Eva, but I don’t want it damaged,” said Mom. “It belonged to my Grandma when she was a little girl. It’s not worth a lot of money, but it’s very valuable to me, so be sure to take good care of it.” “I will,” promised Eva as she and her brother, Jason, left for school.

When Eva and Jason came home that afternoon, Eva was all smiles as she pulled a music box from her backpack and wound it up. “Look what Nikki brought to school today,” she squealed as a little bird on the top spun around while music played. “I let her borrow Grandma’s necklace, and she gave me the music box to play with tonight. We’ll trade back tomorrow.”

Mom frowned. “Eva, you were given the responsibility of taking care of that necklace,” she said sternly. “You should have known better than to trade.” “Nikki will be careful,” said Eva. “If she hurts it, I’m sure she’ll replace it.”

Mom sighed. “It’s not replaceable,” she said as she went to answer the phone. When Mom returned, she was smiling. “That was Nikki’s mother,” said Mom. “She recognized that Grandma’s necklace is valuable to me and insists on coming right over to return it. You’ll have to return the music box, too.” Eva sighed. “Okay,” she said.

“You’re like the French traders, Eva,” declared Jason, who had been listening. “When they first went to America, they tricked the natives into trading furs and gold and silver for shiny little trinkets, like mirrors and worthless beads.” “I didn’t trick anybody,” protested Eva.

As Eva began to deny that, Jason added, “My Sunday school teacher says people get tricked all the time and don’t even know it. He says Satan always likes to trick us into making poor trades.” “Like what?” Eve asked.

“Well, for example, remember in JW class Brother Michael said we might trade spending time with God and learning about Him for time to watch TV or play video games or go to play games,” Jason explained. “Good point,” observed Mom. “We need to be careful not to be tricked into trading away the most valuable things we have—not even for other good things.”

Thought: Has Satan tricked you into making a poor trade? He’d like to give you television programs in exchange for time spent with God…

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray I would not let Satan fool me! Help me please to be wise and to not trade the most precious spiritual truth and joy such as reading the bible for some additional time of leisure. This I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.