Wednesday, July 21, 2010

My Two Cents Worth

1 Peter 3:13-15 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Last Sunday, I was spending a long weekend with my dad at Bass Lake, California. On top of the time in the beauty of the Pine covered Sierra Nevada Mountains with my dad, I got the opportunity to attend his church’s Men’s breakfast and give the devotional message on Saturday morning. I gave my father’s Pastor a Civil War U.S. two cent piece (the first American coin to bear the National motto) to remember the message that it is “In God We Trust” daily and to always give our “two cents” worth as Christians to a world that needs Jesus. Here’s the history (from Coin Community family) on this unique coin that was only minted for ten years … The motto and the coin itself were both direct results of the Civil War.

By the end of 1862, with the war in its 21st month, virtually all U.S. government coinage had vanished from circulation; hoarders and speculators, joined by millions of just plain frightened Americans, had set aside every coin they could get their hands on. On Dec. 8, 1863, Mint Director James Pollock wrote to Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase recommending the issuance of a two-cent piece. Up to then, U.S. coinage had carried no reference to a supreme being. But that was about to change, thanks largely to the strong religious fervor born of the Civil War. In 1861, a Baptist minister, the Rev. Mark R. Watkinson of Ridleyville, Pennsylvania, had written a letter to Secretary Chase urging that provision be made for "the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins." Said Watkinson: "This would relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism. This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed." Clearly, Chase had taken this appeal to heart: On November 20, 1861, Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Portland Chase wrote to the Direct of the mint in Philadelphia: "Dear Sir, No nation can be strong except in the strength of God or safe except in His defense. the trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition."

Watkinson didn't come up with the words IN GOD WE TRUST. On the first trial striking of the two-cent piece, the motto that appeared was GOD OUR TRUST. Numismatic scholar Walter Breen theorized that the final form was influenced by the motto of Chase's alma mater, Brown University: IN DEO SPERAMUS, a Latin phrase meaning "In God we hope." However it happened, IN GOD WE TRUST was the version picked in the end.

Congress didn't stipulate the motto in the legislation authorizing the two-cent piece, which won passage on April 22, 1864. That law simply gave Treasury officials discretionary authority concerning inscriptions on the nation's minor coins. On March 3, 1865, this authority was extended to gold and silver coins and, for the first time, IN GOD WE TRUST was specifically mentioned. Use of the motto wasn't mandated, however, until 1908; and even then, the order applied only to gold and silver coins. Not until 1955 did Congress enact legislation requiring the inscription on all U.S. coins.

I pick up these God inspired coins, wherever I can, and hand them out as ministry tools. As I tell those who receive these two cent pieces about the coin that first bore the words “In God We Trust”, I encourage them all to tell others about the God who loves them so much that He sent His Son to pay for our sins, the God that they trust, and to always give their “two cents” worth to this world, giving the reason for the hope that you have. Now I give the same encouragement to you … give the world your “two cents”, because it is “In God We Trust”!


During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln overheard someone remark that he hoped "the Lord was on the Union's side." Lincoln gave a straightforward reply: " I am not at all concerned about that, for I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord's side."

In Christ, Brian

3 comments:

Gregg Metcalf said...

Wonderful post Brian! Was very touching. I am glad you spent time with your dad and delivered the devotional. I trust that God was honored and the men blessed! You are a rich blessing to me.

RCUBEs said...

Beautiful...What a wonderful way to remind all of us that only in Him should we trust. Especially in this generation where sin abounds. And a lot of people do not know God or choose to ignore His calling. What a precious time you had with your father and his church. Blessings to you bro. Brian. May His protection cover you and your family...

Brian Ray Todd said...

Thank you Gregg and RCUBEs, the time spend with my dad was a great blessing. There is a Montgomery Gentry song titled "Lucky Man" that gives the message to count your blessings and with the time that the Lord has given us to love the good things in our lives witht he cards that we've been dealt by the Lord. Too often, we take the Lord, life and loved ones for granted ... give your love until it hurts and that includes sharing Jesus Christ with those in your life that do not know the Lord and His plan of salvation; the greatest love there is. I guess that giving "your two cents worth" in a priceless life, today & tomorrow. Blessings.