An 18-year-old Chick-fil-A employee in Kinston, North Carolina, found nearly $10,000 in cash on a restroom floor just days before Easter — and gave back every single dollar, crediting his faith in Jesus for the decision.
We call ourselves Christians. We go to church, we sing the songs, we say “amen” in all the right places. But don’t we compromise our faith in some situations? Maybe it’s a small lie to avoid trouble. Or a moment where we need to choose between right and wrong when no one is watching. That’s where our faith is truly tested.
But a person led by the Holy Spirit? They stand firm and never trade their faith for compromise or temptation. And that’s exactly the kind of faith one young Chick-fil-A employee showed the world this Easter weekend.
Jaydon Cintron was just taking his usual break on Good Friday morning. He walked into the men’s restroom at the Kinston Chick-fil-A and noticed two white envelopes on the floor beside the toilet.
One was from First Citizens Bank. The other from Truist Bank. Inside them? A combined $9,833 in cash.
“They were on the floor next to the toilet. My first thought was just like … okay, no, this isn’t happening,” Cintron told WITN. “Something is wrong.”
He picked them up and turned them in right away. The restaurant staff went through security footage trying to figure out who the money belonged to. No luck. But eventually, the owner came back searching for his envelopes.
And here’s the part that really gets you. When WITN asked the 18-year-old why he didn’t just keep the money, his answer was simple. “That’s not what Jesus would’ve done. That’s not what God would’ve wanted,” Cintron said.
The owner tracked Cintron down and offered him $500 as a reward. Cintron said no. He declined it more than once, actually. Told the man he didn’t expect anything for doing what his faith already required of him. After several attempts, the teenager finally accepted.
Kinston Police Chief Keith Goyette had nothing but praise. “A lot of people will … unfortunately, take that money and run with it,” he said. “Kudos to that employee at Chick-fil-A. He definitely deserves a reward.”
Restaurant owner John McPhaul echoed that. “True leadership, you know, true integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching,” McPhaul said. “Jaydon did that in this case, and he should be commended for it.”
As believers, we should uphold our faith even when circumstances change. The world will always give you reasons to compromise. Pressure will come. Temptation will show up. But don’t let anything shake your relationship with God.
Jaydon had every reason to walk away with that money. Nobody would have known. But he knew who he is and who he belongs to. He chose Christ.
WATCH: Chick-fil-A Worker’s Faith-Filled Response After Finding Nearly $10,000 on the Floor
