Take a Penny, Leave a Penny

My dad thinks pennies are a hassle. I’m a fan of pennies, especially when there is a “take a penny, leave a penny” jar at a cash register. It’s nice to borrow money from the community treasure chest of “worthless” pennies which could mean receiving a crisp dollar bill (which seems more valuable) rather then a handful of cold heavy change.

Do you take advantage of strangers lending their pennies? How often do you replenish those public penny jars? Compare this penny exchange with loans you have or loans you might get in the future (car loans, student loans, mortgages, etc).

Just as you are probably compelled to give back the penny you once borrowed, we should be motivated to pay back the loans we have. In other words, we should strive to be trustworthy borrowers. Borrowing money is making a promise to the lender you will return that money. Paying back your loans in full and on time shows the lender that you can be trusted (not to mention it helps your credit score).

“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” Psalm 37:21

Perhaps you’re not thinking about loans just yet, but I bet you have asked your parents or siblings to lend you money. Do your borrowing and paying back habits with your family match how you would handle bank loans? Are they different? Why?