Sunday, August 4, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

FREE, FREE, FREE

Ephesians 2:8-9 God's grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn't come from anything you do. It is God's gift.

I was recently told about a television program that has teams of people perform extremely bizarre and disgusting feats in an attempt to earn MONEY. For example, one person had to have her teeth brushed by a stranger's long beard. Another individual had to lick the dust off of a filthy window blind that appeared to have never been cleaned.

Now, as I listened to this account, I was both amazed and disheartened. What could entice these individuals to perform such gross actions? Sadly, the answer to this question can be found in today's verse. The LOVE of money has caused many to succumb to the temptation of doing desperate acts to acquire it!

Many individuals misunderstand the Bible verse in 1 Timothy 6:10 which reads, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil..." Some interpret it to mean that money is evil. Having money is not evil, but it is developing a LOVE for money .... wanting to have more and more no matter the cost...even if that cost goes against God's Word.

As I reflected on that television program, I thought about the hidden and potentially dangerous costs involved in the actions of those individuals. First of all, they placed themselves in situations in which they were viewed as fools. Secondly, they exposed themselves to health risks. Can you even fathom the types of germs that were on the stranger's beard and the filthy blind?

Fortunately, for those who have a relationship with Christ, the greatest treasure imaginable - more lucrative than any bank account, any game show earnings - is available to them for FREE. Today's verse provides a clear description of this free gift - SALVATION. That salvation is only acquired through God's grace NOT by anything we can physically do.

My challenge to you today is to always cherish this PRICELESS gift of eternal life from your Creator. Never allow the lure of earthly riches to pull you away from the ONE treasure that is worth having. Instead, pursue your relationship with the One who suffered unimaginable pain to make this gift available to us.

Dear Lord, You caution me in Luke 12:34 that "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." I pray that my eyes and heart are always open to the understanding that my greatest possession IS and WILL ALWAYS be my FREE GIFT of salvation through You.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.