Bible Reading of the Day: Read Proverbs 9:9-12.
Verse of the Day: “If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer” (Proverbs 9:12).
“Hi, Pastor!” Joel called. He crossed the floor of the large fast-food restaurant and stood beside the table where Pastor Brown had just sat down with a tray on which stood a hamburger, fries, and soft drink.
“Hello, Joel,” the pastor said. Surprise registered on his face, behind a broad smile. “What are you doing here in the middle of a school day?”
Joel’s eyes sparkled. “Today’s ‘Fewer than Five Day,'” he said excitedly.
‘”Fewer than Five Day’?” Pastor Brown echoed. “What’s that?”
“Our school has a point system,” Joel explained. He cast a glance behind him at his buddies, who were still waiting in a long line at the food counter. “If we get in trouble, we get a point; for some things-really bad things-we might get more than one point. Anyway, if we get too many points, we could be suspended or expelled.”
“I see,” the pastor said.
“But if we get fewer than five points in a semester,” Joel continued, “we get a ‘Fewer than Five Day.’ Last spring, we got to watch a video … during school hours!”
Pastor Brown chuckled. “I see,” he said. “And today you got to come to Hamburger Heaven because you had fewer than five points, right?”
“Yup,” Joel said. He smiled proudly. “I don’t have any points yet!”
“Well, congratulations,” Pastor Brown said. “I’m glad to hear that, Joel. And you know what else? I want you to remember how much fun you’re having right now.”
“You do?” Joel said. “Why?”
“Because ‘Fewer than Five Day’ is just one of the ways that doing right, and behaving well, and being diligent pays off. It may not always have immediate rewards, but people who follow God and make wise choices usually enjoy a lot more good things than those who pursue evil and get themselves in trouble. That’s something that will be true even after you finish school.”
“Hey, Pastor,” Joel said, glancing over his shoulder again at the line of his friends. He took a step or two away from the pastor’s table and called back, “Maybe you should have a ‘Fewer than Five Day!'”
Pastor lifted his hamburger to his mouth and prepared to take a large bite. “That’s what I’m doing right now,” he said with a wink.
TO DISCUSS: Who do you think has more fun: those who are always getting in trouble, or those who follow the rules? How does a person begin to be wise, according to today’s Bible reading? Have you ever enjoyed any rewards for making right choices? Are you enjoying any rewards of right choices right now? If so, tell about them.
TO PRAY: “Lord, thank you for the good things you bring to us when we make right choices.”
