- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 18,404
BOGOF
'...I insist on paying the full price...' 1 Chronicles 21:24
Everyone loves a bargain! There's a great sense of satisfaction in getting that trendy top half-price in the sale or scouring the supermarkets seeking out those BOGOF ('Buy One Get One Free') offers. That's because there's something quite cheekily satisfying about getting something for nothing, or cheaper than somebody else.
Some people make it a way of life, refusing to buy any food that doesn't display a yellow sticker; refusing to hand over their cash unless it's a knock down offer.
Now there's nothing wrong with showing a bit of common sense when it comes to shopping. But it's a big fat no-no when it comes to your commitment to God. There's no cheap deal when it comes to faith; no BOGOF offers on Sunday attendance, prayer times or Bible reading; no bargain basement offers on how we should love.
Commitment to God is about sacrifice, giving that costs in terms of our self, time and money. Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us to 'Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behaviour from their parents.
Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us.
Love like that' (TM). Giving to God what costs you nothing doesn't demonstrate commitment. Like David, when it comes to serving the Lord we need to 'insist on paying the full price!'
written by Bob Gass
'...I insist on paying the full price...' 1 Chronicles 21:24
Everyone loves a bargain! There's a great sense of satisfaction in getting that trendy top half-price in the sale or scouring the supermarkets seeking out those BOGOF ('Buy One Get One Free') offers. That's because there's something quite cheekily satisfying about getting something for nothing, or cheaper than somebody else.
Some people make it a way of life, refusing to buy any food that doesn't display a yellow sticker; refusing to hand over their cash unless it's a knock down offer.
Now there's nothing wrong with showing a bit of common sense when it comes to shopping. But it's a big fat no-no when it comes to your commitment to God. There's no cheap deal when it comes to faith; no BOGOF offers on Sunday attendance, prayer times or Bible reading; no bargain basement offers on how we should love.
Commitment to God is about sacrifice, giving that costs in terms of our self, time and money. Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us to 'Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behaviour from their parents.
Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us.
Love like that' (TM). Giving to God what costs you nothing doesn't demonstrate commitment. Like David, when it comes to serving the Lord we need to 'insist on paying the full price!'
written by Bob Gass
