KINSTON, N.C. – On Good Friday, Chick-fil-A employee Jaydon Cintron was finishing up his break when he discovered something out of the ordinary — two envelopes lying on the restroom floor containing nearly $10,000 between them.
While many might have felt the impulse to keep the money, the 18-year-old Cintron chose to demonstrate his faith instead.
“Everyone else is saying they would have just taken the money, and I think that’s most people’s first instinct,” Cintron said “The second instinct is to just leave it there. But with God, there is only one instinct, to do the right thing.”
And that’s what Cintron did. Following his convictions, Cintron gave the envelopes to his supervisors, who then turned the money over to the Kinston Police Department. A few days later, the cash was returned to its rightful owner. Though he initially declined a reward, Cintron eventually accepted a gift from the grateful owner.
For the past two years, Cintron has been a member of Abide Bible Church, an N.C. Baptist church plant in Goldsboro, N.C. Lead Pastor Jamal Hyman has watched Cintron grow in his faith during that time and called his actions a perfect example of what it means to live like Christ.
Hyman, Cintron and another young church member participate in what they call “man school,” a weekly meeting where they study the Bible, discuss biblical and theological questions and also focus on biblical manhood.
“This year, we have focused on being a ‘warrior,’ learning how to fight to bless others rather than fight to curse others,” Hyman said. “He is showing how he is learning discipline and how to be a warrior. He is a good example of being a warrior and how to fight to bless (others) through his discipline.”
News of Cintron’s honesty traveled fast through Abide’s congregation of about 20 members. Cintron was also featured in an interview with a local television station. On Sunday, April 12, the church held a celebration for Cintron.
“We’ve watched him grow, blossom and flourish into the man that now the whole world can see,” Hyman said. “We’ve been watching this for two years. It has drawn people to want to hear what is going on and what we are doing.”
Allen Chambers, pastor of care and counseling at Abide Bible Church, gave remarks to the congregation during the celebration, which was to highlight the work Christ had done in Cintron’s life.
“(Jaydon) became kind of a media star,” Chambers chuckled, “simply for doing what’s right and obeying God.”
After the service, Abide held a lunch in Cintron’s honor to recognize him for demonstrating character, honor and commitment to doing the right thing.
Cintron’s message to his congregation was simple.
“If you remember anything from this, just remember to have good character … and to make sure that you don’t just read the Bible but that you actually act it out,” he said.
This article originally appeared in the Biblical Recorder. Stephen Halley serves as editorial aide for the Biblical Recorder.
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