A New Year with No Wooden Nickels!

Podcast

Regardless of how 2024 might have ended for each of us personally, off we go with 2025! And we can all praise God for this bran-new year! Some are looking forward to new beginnings, some new hope, some new dreams and most new blessings. While the world seeks to distract us with deception at every turn, our God has a wonderful plan for each of us. The new year presents a new opportunity for each of us to take advantage of His wonderful plan with no “wooden nickels!”

But first, what on God’s green earth is a wooden nickel? Webster defines a wooden nickel as a commemorative or souvenir token having the value of five-cent or something utterly worthless, accepted as a gift or purchased by a gullible person. Google defines a wooden nickel as something completely false or worthless.

Wooden nickels have been used throughout history in times of economic distress, such as the American Civil War and the Great Depression. After the Citizens Bank of Tenino failed in Washington during the Great Depression, the local Chamber of Commerce issued wooden nickels that could be spent at local merchants. The saying “don’t take any wooden nickels” goes back to 1915 probably as a humorous warning to country folk going to the city not to be taken by city slickers to be paid with wooden nickels (Google).

As a child I can recall my father always reminding us kids, “don’t take any wood nickels!” In other words, don’t be deceived, stay on the right path! God our heavenly Father tells us the same thing.

How might we take advantage of God’s Plan? I’m so glad you asked! The answer is simple. The answer lies in God’s word! God’s word keeps us on the path He has for us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” He also tells us, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient,” Ephesians 5:6.

In this month’s Podcast, Lena and I recall daddy warning us kids to be aware of “wooden nickels,” thereby preventing us from being “country bumpkins” who were deceived or taken advantage of!

We also note a profound quote by Edwin Louis Cole that says, “Knowledge of God’s word is a bulwark (wall of protection) against deception, temptation, accusation and even persecution.” Finally, following God’s plan guides us in the way we should go. It keeps us on the right path, avoiding much deception and pitfalls in the new year and in life!

Food for Today

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Picture Courtesy

Courtesy of Ebay – Rooster’s Roost 10 cent Wooden Nickel Token (Top of Page)

courtesy of Scrollsaw Workshop (E-mail)