The Meaning of the Lost Coin in Ellen G. White's Writings

The parable of the lost coin serves as a profound illustration of God's pitying love for a specific class of people: those who are lost in trespasses and sins but have no realization of their own conditionCOL 193.3+2. Unlike the lost sheep, who knows it is separated from the shepherd and is in a cloud of perplexity, the lost coin represents the unconscious soul who is estranged from God and yet remains unconcerned and unaware of the peril they faceCOL 193.3+2. This piece of silver, though lying in the dirt and rubbish of a dark, windowless room, remains a piece of silver of great value to its ownerAUCR July 1, 1900, par. 2+2. Just as the coin bore the image and superscription of the reigning power, every human soul was created with the image of God, and despite being marred by sin, God desires to recover that soul and retrace His own image of righteousness and holiness upon itTe 133.3+1.

The search for the lost coin is characterized by a diligent and thorough effort, as the woman in the parable must light a candle and sweep the house, removing every obstruction until the piece is foundCOL 194.4+2. This represents the work required within the home and the church to seek for those who are close at hand but spiritually lost11MR 368.1+1. Parents are encouraged to light the "candle," which is the Word of God, and examine their own hearts, habits, and management to see if any wayward child has been lost due to their own neglect or error11MR 368.1+2. There is a divine guarantee of success in this mission, for the parable does not speak of failure but of the great joy felt by the owner and the angels in heaven when the lost is recovered13LtMs, Ms 118, 1898, par. 8+2. Those who have been negligent should not despair, but rather work in love, faith, and prayer until they can joyfully present their household to GodCOL 195.3+1.

...nd sorely tempted. The lost coin represents those who are lost in trespasses and sins, but who have no sense of their condition. They are estranged from God, but they know it not. Their souls are in peril, but they are unconsci...— COL 193.3 (1900)

...tion, some mistake, some error in management. These souls are the Lord’s property, and as the piece of money bears the mark of the ruling power, so they should bear upon their souls the likeness of God, His righteousness and true holiness. Then they will honor the God whose they are. If there is one in the family who is not safe in the fold, special efforts should be made to save that which is lost. These parables of the lost sheep and the lost pieces of silver set forth a loss of something which with proper search may be recovered, and that with great joy. In all Christ’s parables, He sets forth His work [for] our world. It is to seek the one lost sheep, the one world that has fallen through transgression of the law of God. This lost sheep must be found and brought back to the fold. If there is to be such diligent search for the lost sheep and the piece of silver; if there is such rejoicing when each is recovered, how much more earnest and untiring should be our efforts to find the souls who have separated themselves from God, and who do not know how to find their way back. Someone must go after them, and encourage and help them to return. We are not merely to say, “Come.” We are to lay right hold of them in tender, pitying love, and in their helpless, hopeless condition, give them our courage, our hope, our strength. It is ours to restore the lost, and in this work call upon others to rejoice with us in that Satan has lost his prey. And well may we sing, if search is not in vain. This parable does not speak of failure, but of success and joy in the recovery. This is the work all heaven is interested in— 13LtMs, Ms 118, 1898, par. 8

...ying love. They are to be sought for, that they may be brought back to God. The piece of silver was lost in the house. It was close at hand, yet it could be recovered only by diligent search— AUCR July 1, 1900, par. 2 (1898)

The Lost Coin—Precious Still—The lost coin, in the Saviour's parable, though lying in the dirt and rubbish, was a piece of silver still. Its owner sought it because it was of value. So every soul, however degraded by sin, is in God&apo...— Te 133.3 (1949)

...se parables do not speak of failure but of success and joy in the recovery of the lost. Here is the divine guarantee that not one lost soul is overlooked, not one is left unsuccored. With all our efforts in seeking for the lost, Christ will co-operate. ...— AUCR July 1, 1900, par. 12 (1898)

...of the lost piece of silver Christ sought to impress upon the minds of His hearers the necessity of arousing the sensibilities of those within the home to seek for those who were straying from God. Not one member of the family is to be forgotten. The ...— 13LtMs, Lt 80, 1898, par. 6