Last month Dave and I made two expenditures we had been saving for. These weren’t part of the regular monthly budget. No, they were items we had to plan for and save for. Maybe you don’t live on a budget, but we always have.
Each month we have dollars allotted for the different categories: food, clothing, home, electric, internet, phone, tithe, savings, allowance, taxes, insurance. To stay within budget for groceries I look over the ads and find the sales. I do the same when we need a new pair of shoes or other clothes.
We know the Lord expects us to be good stewards of the money He blesses us with and so we try to spend wisely. However, there is one event that we are allowing ourselves the right to be extravagant. It’s our 50th wedding anniversary trip to Greece in September. Oh, we’ve set a budget for the trip, but it is a substantial one. This is a once in a lifetime experience.
This morning I was reminded of another budget blowing expenditure that I have been involved in. It is my relationship with the Lord. He is the One who blew the budget and I am the one who is the recipient of His grace.
“God paid a high price for you, so don’t be slaves to anyone else.” I Corinthians 7:23 ERV
Have you ever stopped to consider how deeply the Father loves us? 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 13:44-46 ERV
The earth is the field, God the Father is the man, we are the treasure and Jesus is the price that was paid!
What is it that would cause you to sell all you have – your home, jewelry, cars, boat, horses, RV? What would make you cash in the CD’s and empty the savings account? What would be valuable enough to have you 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 focus on the depth of 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
“Nothing is more precious than your loving kindness. All people can find protection close to you.” Psalm 36:7 ERV
Father, I will take my words from the Psalms, nothing is more precious than your lovingkindness. Thank you for loving us enough to break the bank!