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Deal or no deal
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Posted by admin Tue Jan 2, 2007 11:02:43 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Matthew 13:44

Watching the television show “Deal or No Deal” over the Christmas holiday with my family got me thinking about how people approach the game.  Almost everyone I talk to about the show says they would risk it all trying to win millions. Their reasoning is simple: they brought nothing into the game, so why not just risk it all and go for broke.

Many of the people interviewed in the game have the idea that money will provide them security.  As a pastor, I have met many wealthy people in my travels and few of them were secure. Most lived in constant fear of losing money. Their lives centered on making money or trying to keep it because the money provided the stuff where they found their identity.

Did you know the Bible speaks more about money than it does heaven and hell? Believe it or not, it does.

Money is one of those things that, in its pursuit, rob people of the blessings of walking by faith. In Matthew 13, there are two parables that have identical meanings. In both parables, salvation is portrayed as the most valuable possession any person can receive. Those who have God’s gift of salvation revealed to them are willing to give up everything they have to hold onto it. You might say those who understand the gift of eternal life understand it is the “deal” of a lifetime, or better still, an eternal lifetime.

Right now, stores are crowded with people returning and exchanging Christmas gifts and the prices are communicated in such a way that you have the sense that you are about to receive the deal of a lifetime. I don’t doubt there are some good buys to be had.

I pray that, if you are an after-Christmas bargain shopper,  your basket runeth over with great deals. Most of all I pray that all the bargains and all the deals one might find while shopping after Christmas serve to make each of us stop and reflect on the greatness of our salvation and the price paid for you and me.

When God sent His only Son to take on human flesh, you might say He forsook every deal the devil put before Jesus in an attempt to get Him to not fulfill His plan of redeeming the world. Jesus wasn’t looking for a deal when He came from heaven to earth. Jesus was willing to give everything He had because you are a priceless treasure of God.

Salvation is a free gift, and yet it must be received. Each of us must decide to accept God’s “deal,” open our heart to Jesus and receive Him personally as Savior and Lord. Or we can live our lives calling the shots ourselves and in essence say to God, “No deal.”

Life is only found in Jesus, friend, and nothing we own could ever compare to Him. There is nothing worth holding on to that compares to the gift of eternal life through Jesus. Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving, and I pray your heart is open to all that He desires to give you this day.

— Mike Osthimer is a Northwest resident and pastor of Calvary Chapel Westbrook. If this has helped you, or if you need prayer, Pastor Mike would like to invite you to e-mail him: mike@westbrook.org

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