What is the biblical meaning of finding pennies?
Introduction
Different cultures have attached diverse meanings to finding pennies or money.
The Bible also attaches unique spiritual meanings to finding pennies.
If you have been stumbling upon coins or paper notes lately and you are wondering if any spiritual or biblical meanings explain your experience, this article will provide you with the desired answers.
Meaning of pennies in the Bible
In the Bible, the term “penny” is used in various contexts, and its value can vary depending on the time and place it is mentioned. The “penny” mentioned in the Bible is different from the modern-day currency. Instead, it refers to a specific unit of currency that was used during the time of Jesus and in the ancient Roman and Jewish economies.
In the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of Matthew 20:2-13 and Matthew 22:19-21, the term “penny” refers to a denarius, a silver coin used in the Roman Empire. A denarius was typically a day’s wage for a laborer, and it was also used as a standard measure of value in economic transactions.
The famous debate about the payment of tax between Jesus and the Pharisees, leading to Jesus’ statement, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” (Matthew 22:21) was made using a penny.
Jesus requested a penny with the image of Caesar on it before making that statement.
Biblical meanings of finding pennies
The reward for your labor
“And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.” (Matthew 20:2)
Pennies represent value.
The more pennies you have, the more value you possess.
Finding pennies means what you do to earn money will be valued.
It means you will receive money for the product or service you offer.
Some people put lots of work into what they do. However, they get next to nothing in return.
Laboring in vain can be devasting.
Those that work deserve to be paid. But we often find ourselves in situations where people refuse to pay us, or we get less than we deserve.
However, finding pennies is a sign that your rewards are coming. Not only will you receive the appropriate compensation for what you offer now, but you will reach a settlement.
You will receive your outstanding wages, debts, or payments in full.
It signifies small work but a great reward.
“And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a penny.” (Matthew 20:10)
Jesus told the parable of the workers in the vineyard to his disciples about the owner of the vineyard, who employed different workers at different times of the day.
The vine owner hired workers early in the morning to work for the whole day for a penny each. He later found some people standing idles at the third hour of the day, about 9.00am, and hired them.
Again, he found some more idle people at the sixth hour of the day, which was about 12:00pm. He did the same thing in the ninth hour, around 3:00pm our time. At the eleventh hour, the latest possible time before it is too late or close of the day, he found some idle men and employed them.
However, when the time for payment of wages came, they all got the same pay. Those working since early in the morning got one penny as those employed at almost the close of the day.
Jesus said this parable to let us understand the function of grace in people’s life and how miracle happens.
While some people toiled all day to be paid one penny, others did little work at the close of the day to get the same amount.
Therefore, finding pennies indicates that your little labor and effort will receive a massive reward beyond your understanding. It doesn’t matter how late it seems you are. In God’s eyes, you are right on time for your blessing and success.
It’s a sign of being generous.
“He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?” (Mark 6:37)
When Jesus wanted to feed the five thousand, he first asked His disciples to give the multitude food to eat. However, they protested, asking Jesus a sarcastic question if two hundred pennyworths of bread would be enough.
They were willing to send the people away without meeting their needs. However, Jesus had compassion on them and performed the miracle of turning five loaves of bread and two fishes into countless baskets of food.
Everyone was well fed, and there were still twelve baskets full of loaves of bread and fish.
The disciples’ actions showed they were not generous.
Although what they had was not enough to feed everyone, they did not make any effort.
Instead, they wanted to send people home hungry. But Jesus, through His action, taught them the power of compassion and the need to be generous as it is rewarding and brings increase.
Finding pennies might be a divine message to you about your giving habits.
You might be withholding gifts and aid from the needy even when you have enough to spare.
Finding pennies is a sign that you must start extending helping hands to the needy.
You must look beyond what you have and find avenues to become a channel of blessing to others because it opens the door to financial success and increases.
It’s a sign for you to pay taxes.
“Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.” (Mark 12:15)
Jesus was asked a controversial question about the legality of paying taxes.
The Pharisees asked him this question to find fault in Jesus so they could use it against Him. However, Jesus understood their game and could see through their weak scheme.
But Jesus gave a simple yet profound answer that has become a slogan till this present moment.
Jesus asked them to give Him a penny, and He asked them, saying, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:16-17).
Therefore, Jesus confirmed that paying taxes is nothing but simple obedience to the law.
In Matthew 17:23-27, Jesus paid tax.
When Jesus was asked to pay the Temple Tax, He sent Peter to cast a hook in the sea, take the fish that came up first, open its mouth, and get a piece of money in it to use to pay the tax.
Therefore, Jesus has set a precedence for us, and we must follow.
Finding pennies is a strong warning that tax evasion is a sin.
The Bible says we must obey governing authorities because God gave them authority.
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1-2)
A symbol of God’s miraculous financial blessings
“Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” (Matthew 17:27)
Jesus got a penny from a fish mouth when He was asked to pay Temple Tax (Matthew 17:23-27).
That was a supernatural provision never experienced before.
Fishes brought Him money to meet His needs.
Finding pennies, especially in unlikely places, is a good sign of a miraculous financial breakthrough coming your way.
It means God is about to deliver you from financial embarrassment in an unusual way.
You must exercise your faith in this situation.
Trust in God and His ability to give you what you need.
Also, be expectant. The financial aid you desperately need might come any moment in a way you were not expecting.
So you must train your spiritual senses to discern these moments of visitations so you do not miss your appointed time of financial abundance.
A sign of divine providence
Some believe that finding pennies reminds them of God’s providence and care.
Just as Jesus spoke about God’s care for sparrows in Matthew 10:29-31, finding a penny might symbolize God’s attention to even the smallest details of our lives.
If you can find a penny as tiny as it is, God can visit you in your little corner.
He knows every detail of your life.
You are not just a part of a crowd.
You are special to Him, and He will leave the ninety-nine just to find you.
Finding value in the small things
The story of the Widow’s Mite in Mark 12:41-44 highlights the idea that small offerings can carry great significance.
Jesus said the widow who gave only two might as an offering gave the most because it was all she had. Therefore, it does not matter the size, but the quality of what you give.
Finding a penny might remind someone that even small acts of kindness or offerings can hold meaning and value in the eyes of God.
God is not like man, who looks at the outward character, which often is a show of deception. However, He concentrates on the heart because it represents who we truly are “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Trust and faith
Finding a penny might encourage a sense of trust and faith in divine guidance.
It may be a recall to lean on one’s faith during times of uncertainty or difficulty, as mentioned in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Psalms 23 says the Lord is our Shepherd.
He is leading us daily to where our blessings are.
We must trust His voice and obey to reach the greener pastures full of blessings and spiritual nourishment He has promised.
A reminder of the little blessings
Finding a penny could serve as a reminder to count one’s blessings and be thankful for what one has, as gratitude is a common theme in many biblical teachings.
Because we are mostly interested in big blessings and miracles, we often lose sight of the daily blessings God gives us.
These blessings might look insignificant, but we understand how crucial they are to our well-being when we lose them.
For example, the air we breathe.
Though breathing in and out is what most of us do not pay attention to, the recent events reminded us of how much we have taken this so-called little blessing for granted.
Therefore, finding a penny is a reminder of the little but profound blessings God gives us.
It’s a call to be thankful intentionally.
Symbol of renewal or change
A penny could symbolize a fresh start or a new chapter.
Just as old things are replaced by new ones, finding a penny might be seen as a sign of positive change or renewal.
It’s a sign that all hope is not lost, and even if you lost your way, you can still be found.
There’s light at the end of the tunnel, and your joy will be full again.
Therefore, keep searching for opportunities and pursuing your dreams.
“Anyone who is among the living has hope —even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!” (Ecclesiastes 9:4)
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David Akeju is a Christian writer who believes in the transformational power of God’s Word. His articles and books have been published on global platforms, and thousands of lives have been touched. He works with pastors and ministers, churches and ministries, and brands.