Have you ever taken time to evaluate your spending habits? We have lived on a budget all our married life.
Everything has a category and an amount and to the best of my ability I try to make it all line up each month. Need to be good stewards right?
This morning I was thinking about spending; spending for groceries, vehicles, clothing, furniture, entertainment, health and extravagances. The way we assign value differs from category to category. I want to get a “good deal” on my groceries so I clip some coupons and shop the ads.
We shop for the best buy when it comes to our furniture and vehicles and are always looking for a super sale. Then there are those things that we willing go into our savings to purchase; a child’s wedding or college education, medical expenses for a loved one. These require sacrifice but a sacrifice of love.
As I was reading in I Corinthians I saw Paul repeat a phrase that he had used earlier in the book. And we all know that when the Bible repeats something we should be paying attention.
” God paid a high price for you,” I Corinthians 7:23 ERV
I want us to stop and think about our value this morning. Do we understand how priceless we are to the Father?
We’re not like a bunch of grapes or a bag of tomatoes that can be bought cheaply for $.99 per pound. We’re not like the new dress or new car that He waited for the big sale to purchase. We are invaluable to Him.
“God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure. He hid it again and was so happy that he went and sold everything he owned and bought the field. 45 “Also, God’s kingdom is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 One day he found a very fine pearl. He went and sold everything he had to buy it.” Matthew 13:44-26 ERV
The earth is the world, God the Father is the man, we are the treasure or the pearl and Jesus is the price that was paid!
What is it that would cause us to sell all we have – our home, our jewelry, our cars, our boat, our horses, our RV, cash in the CD’s and empty the savings account? What would be valuable enough to have us sell all to buy one treasure?
We are that treasure! God gave His only begotten Son to purchase us!
No words can convey what I am feeling in my heart this morning as I realize in a deeper way God’s love for me.
” And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.” Ephesians 3:18-19 ERV
Father, I will take my words from the Psalms: “Your faithful love is better than life, so my lips praise you. 4 By my life, I will praise you. In your name, I lift my hands in prayer” Psalm 63:3-4 ERV
WOW I needed to hear this. When I read 1 Cor 7:23 “God paid a high price for you”, it evoked guilt for not being thankful enough for what He did for me. But reading further on, I’m beginning to see His true love for me. Thank you Kristi!
It is so amazing to me that God considers me as valuable too. He knows all my faults, failures and short comings and LOVES me still. Lord, let me understand the greatness of your love.
Amen.