“(Put no) hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but put hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17
In the grocery store the other day, I was walking down an aisle and saw a sign below laundry detergent that said, “SALE $4.99.” Now to ME, ‘SALE’ means ‘SAVE!’ So it got my attention! Now, we don’t NEED laundry detergent. The last time it went on sale I bought 2 big bottles of the stuff. But hey, being optimistic that I’m going to outlive those bottles, I paused and began to calculate.
I am NOT very good at high math, but I get by with the basics. 90% of the time I’m right, so I don’t worry about the other 5%. Upon investigation, I noticed the store did the math for me, telling me how much it cost per ounce…in fine print! It took me about 4 minutes to figure out that it would be cheaper for me to buy the biggest doggone bottle they had…at full retail! Then I remembered, we don’t need laundry detergent!
I figure that one day someone got a little too caught up in the bottom line. Maybe they needed more money to keep out of bankruptcy, or just wanted a bigger boat, but THAT someone started playing store math. The process of taking advantage has evolved since. A bigger bottle at a seemingly lower price… or the same price for a smaller package. It’s all the same thing. It’s about getting more without giving more! And Jesus doesn’t like it!
Today’s verse, and the couple that follow, parallel Jesus’ own words when He said, “Lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven!” Long ago I realized this was a COMMAND and NOT a request! Treasure for MYSELF…NOT for HIM! Because, after all, He owns it all anyway…right? Well, not really. But he’d LOVE to! And here is the point.
God does NOT automatically own MY HEART! He wants and desires it. But it isn’t His to simply grab and run off with. Consider it like a tiny vacuum in the vast universe…about the size of a dime. He owns it ALL…EXCEPT for that part. THAT part is MINE. And He cannot have it unless I GIVE it to Him. WILLINGLY! But He wants it so badly He is willing to pay almost ANYTHING to get it! So He did the math!
To get MY heart He calculated the cost. It would take His life, His love, His sacrifice, the promise of eternal treasure and even the sharing of His Eternal throne. After calculating and discussing among themselves, the Trinity literally agreed to take a chance on getting ripped off! After His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ began His own promotional tour! NOW it is up to ME…to either take it or leave it.
Fellow shoppers…I have tried Him. He works. EVERY-TIME! I gave him my puny heart and He gave me EVERYTHING He promised. With MORE TO COME! Like I said in the beginning.. I am not a math genius…but I’ll take that offer all day long! How about YOU?
“Jesus…We need a cleanup in Aisle 10!”
