JUNE 2, 2 Corinthians 5:20

“Oh no!” groaned Maria. “I’m counting the money for our Young Adventurers’ Club and I just can’t get it to balance. I’m the treasurer and Miss Soh gave me the money to keep until tomorrow after school when we’ll put it in the bank. This paper says I’m supposed to have $27.75 but I have only $22.25. I’ve counted it six times!”

Dad came over to the table. “Let me count and see if I get the same thing,” he suggested. So he counted the money and his total was the same as Maria’s.

“What if I get blamed for the missing money?” worried Maria. “Miss Soh trusted me. Maybe I better put in some of my own!”

The telephone interrupted them and Maria answered it. After she hung up, she smiled. “What a relief!” she exclaimed. “That was Miss Soh and she called to apologise. It slipped her mind that she paid $5.50 for stuff used at our party. She’ll give me a copy of the bill tomorrow. That means this comes out just right! What I have here is the correct amount!”

Dad nodded. “Good,” he said with a smile. “So, how do you like being responsible for reconciling the money with the recorded amount?” he asked. “Reconciling?” asked Maria. “Seems like I’ve heard that word before ... in church maybe? But I don’t remember what it means.”

Dad smiled. “When it refers to money, it means to check one account against another for accuracy. The money you had didn’t add up to the amount you should have, so those two amounts had to be reconciled. They have to be the same,” he explained.

“But what does that have to do with church?” asked Maria. “Well, another meaning of the word is to restore to friendship or harmony,” said Dad. “As a result of Adam’s sin, we are all born sinners and aren’t friends of God. When we accept Jesus as Saviour, we receive His righteousness, which is required for salvation and a home in Heaven. Friendship and harmony with God are restored.” Dad smiled. “As you reconcile your club accounts from now on, it can be a reminder to you that you’re also reconciled to God.”

Thought: Are you reconciled to God? Or is your sin still separating you from Him?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know it is far more serious to not be reconciled to You. I accept Jesus as Savior and Lord and ask Him to come into my life. And if I am already a Christian - help me to live my life with His strength and not mine own strength! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.