“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 NLT
Going through a local store I saw a huge display of quart sized, hand sanitizers for sale. Wanting a good size for backup at church, I snagged the Item priced at $8.95. When I got to the checkout, I noticed the price that was charged to my credit card… $.50!!! Katie was already halfway out the door with the ‘bagged booty’ when I called her back. SOMEBODY was getting ‘ripped off!’
The process of shock, considering the discrepancy, doing the math and then making the decision as to what to do took about 10seconds! Being human, with demonic elves taking EVERY opportunity to ruin me, several thoughts lit up my mind…from ’WOW!!! you just got a STEAL of a DEAL…RUN while you can!’ To ‘Why not go back and get 10 more?!’ To ‘Notify the store of the error!’
There had to be at least 100 bottles of the stuff on the shelf. Considering cost, sales and net profit, this store was about to get ‘ripped off’ for at LEAST $500! And they didn’t even know it! When I told the cashier, she didn’t know what to do about it, since her supervisor was away. She told me to just simply take it and that she would clear up the issue later!! I felt the demon elves slide off of MY back and sensed them leap onto hers!
Christmas brings out the best AND the worst in people. Remember Scrooge and the Grinch? The Spirit of the ‘Holy-days’ presses me toward the Peace and Joy of giving. While the ticktock of the clock hurries me and destroys my patience with those in my way! EACH reaction is a CHOICE that needs to be considered. And somebody is going to get ‘Ripped Off!’
Biblically speaking, Christmas is NOT a transaction where I give something to God and He gives me something in return. Reading today’s verse, it hit me the same why I felt in the store. It PROVES that the whole story of Christmas is simply ‘RIDICULOUS!’ It clearly says that God KNEW He was about to be ‘Ripped Off…’ but went ahead and took the hit anyway! Which makes ME…one who takes advantage of His offer…a ‘Victimizer!”
How much am I worth to me? It’s a fair question. I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on insurance over the years…just in case the unforeseen happens! I mean, ‘better thousands now than the potential of millions later,’ right? But THAT was nothing more than gambling! What value could I possibly have in the eyes of The Perfect God, and how could I EVER even pay the debt for my imperfection? Go ahead…take some time to calculate!!!
If you are a SMART ‘Victimizer,’ you can see a deal when you spot one. And when you finally understand the fact that God ‘EXPECTS’ to become the victim with your decision, it makes the revelation of Grace even MORE amazing! So…do you want some advice? RUN to God and take advantage of His RIDICULOUS offer! He’s actually expecting you to! Merry Christmas!
