I am not a good shopper.  In fact, I would rather fall on a rusty, blunt sword than walk around a mall or stroll through an outlet center.  I’m more of a “one store” kind of guy.  I can tolerate visiting a place where I know that I will come out with something in my hand.  I guess it’s that “hunter thing”… If I go in, I will come out with a kill.

I spent several years in the marketing and advertising field and understand the whole dog and pony show.  I spent countless hours helping retailers manipulate shoppers into buying things they didn’t need and paying more than what they were worth… not a great feeling in hindsight… but it was a job.

You should understand that your perception of an item is what shapes your value of the item.  If you hang a cool, black leather coat on a metal rack in a brightly lit discount store and price it at $300 among the discount items… you will turn your nose up and accuse the place of ripping people off.  However, if you take the same coat, hang it on a well crafted wooden rack in a softly lit specialty store with a price tag of $300… the price is very attractive up against the other high priced items.

The same coat… different circumstances… changes your perception and your value of the coat rises.  This is true for every item you own.  The value is only in your judgement.

The old saying goes:  Once the perceived value of an item or service exceeds the actual price by 1 cent… then it’s a deal and you’ll likely buy it.

What about your faith?  Do you value your relationship with God more than the cost of following Jesus Christ?  Are you eager to pay the price because you know what you will receive is beyond your pocket book?

The community of believers is littered with people shopping around for God but not willing to make the commitment.  The value of God usually doesn’t become visible in life until these believers are in a bind and need Him fiercely.

Our lives should show that we believe the value of being in a relationship with the creator of the universe has impacted us to the point of paying the price.

The price of following Jesus Christ is not found in dollars.  The price is in the sacrifice of things you place in front of your faith.  The willingness to be inconvenienced or to do without something you think you need.  There is no need to sell everything and be poor.  There are poor among us who still don’t trust God.  The need is to put God first in everything.

The value of God is different for every person.   I cannot tell you how much or what to pay… you will have to decide.  I will tell you that until you see Jesus Christ as invaluable, you’ll never make the transaction.

May you find the value of God to far exceed the price you must pay to follow His son.  Up against the failings of man and the trappings of evil… The value of God is beyond compare.

Peace,
Greg Arnold
Acts 4:31
Download Article