HAVE you ever earned a prize? I expect you have, and you could — tell me of how you worked for it. Well, I must tell you of the first and only Sunday school prize I ever got.
I had a Christian father and mother, and of course I never missed Sunday school, but somehow I never won a prize, for you see, they counted conduct as well as attendance for prizewinning, and my conduct in Sunday school wasn't the best.
Well, one prize-giving time I was sitting with the other children when to my surprise I heard my name called. Oh, how happy I was! I went up to the front to take my prize and I held it fast as I went back to my seat. I remember the title to this very day, though it was a long time ago. It was called "Thankful Rest," I'm afraid I did not know much about rest then, for I was not a Christian boy.
When we were dismissed, off I went home with my prize. But when I got indoors my sister claimed that the prize was hers. She said it wasn't mine at all! Mother soon joined in the discussion, but still I wouldn't give up my prize, so we decided to phone the Sunday school teacher. My sister was right after all! Her name was Jane and mine was John, and the prize was just addressed to J. Wilson, so I had to give it up to my sister.
But when I came to the Lord Jesus, I received something far better than a prize.—-"The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,"—-and I didn't have to earn it either, for it is a gift!
I have been to many prize-givings since those days, and have handed many prizes to happy boys and girls, but I always read the full name, because I remember my disappointment over the only prize I ever received.
There is no doubt that this gift is offered to you, dear boy or girl, for God's Word says,
"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22: 17.
Messages of God’s Love 12/11/1949