If you have ever been to a large city you quickly discover that there are unfortunate people, who for whatever reason have resorted to begging and living on the street. You may, like many, would likely do what you have been told exactly not to do and judge the book by its cover.

Perhaps this clever short film “Change For a Dollar” will change your perspective and help you realise that beyond the superficial is often a caring, thoughtful, compassionate, and understanding human being.

The writer, director and producer of this film is the award winning actress Sharon Wright, whose work I probably wouldn’t personally seek out to watch, except for this standout short film.

I don’t think this is produced from a Christian perspective but there are some really good Christian values that are highlighted. There seems to be a few layers to this film as it attempts to wash away any prejudice we might have to the downtrodden and forgotten. Change for A Dollar lets you walk in the steps of a man as he affects multiple people’s lives with just one dollar.

It’s a heart-warming story that results in human needs being met by one man’s thoughtfulness. His compassion was more than coincidental and his good deeds more than lucky. His relationship to other people’s story is intentional.

From the spiritual perspective it had a kind of Hebrews 13:2 feel about it. (Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares) Perhaps you might think the same.

The film sets out to prove that it doesn’t take much to be part of change in someone’s life. While it deals with temporal things, Change For a Dollar is a reminder to us that perhaps we can be an answer to someone’s prayer. Being Christian and representatives of Jesus in the world is not coincidental, it’s deliberate. There is a responsibility that goes with being God’s ambassadors. We all matter and so we need to live like it. The scripture says that we are to be doers of the word not just hearers only, otherwise we deceive ourselves (James 1:22). This sounds intentional to me. Luck and chance play no role in the Christian life and in our interaction with others. How we reach out to others, whether they be family, colleagues or the unfortunate forgotten, our actions are to be genuine and well thought out with the intention to bring about change in people’s lives. And get this…even without being noticed.

Paul’s advice to the Ephesians was for them to be intentional with how they lived when he wrote in Ephesians chapter 5 verses 15 & 16 – Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Be a force for change in a world needing to be reconciled to God. Be intentional!

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