Did you get what you paid for?

I am a budget shopper. I’m not really ashamed to admit that some have even called me “cheap.” I consider myself to be frugal. I’m not an extreme “couponer” by any stretch of the imagination, but I highly value a good deal! Two-for-one and buy one, get one free are signs I love to see while shopping. I have friends and family members who love to shop. They can spend hours searching for what they want or need and they don’t mind paying what I call “a pretty penny.”

Recently I decided to change laundry detergent. I realized that the detergent I had been using for some time was not really getting my clothes clean the way I wanted. It wasn’t leaving the clothes smelling fresh like I desired. I had heard that a particular detergent was “the best” so I went to the store to get some. Once I arrived the frugalness in me rose when I saw the price of the quote, unquote best detergent. For a few moments I scanned the shelves wondering if any of the other cheaper detergents would do the job I had heard this brand would do. Ultimately I purchased the detergent I had heard so much about. Once I used it, I realized why they say, “You get what you pay for.” The detergent did not disappoint; it made my clothes smell and feel much cleaner than the other brand had and I was very pleased with my decision to switch.

This made me think. When it comes to getting what you pay for spiritually, the scripture says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What would we do if we were repaid with death every time we sinned? I venture to say there wouldn’t be many alive to read this article, including me. In addition to that we must recognize a price has been paid for our souls. Romans 3:23-26, tells us in detail how Jesus paid the price with His life, to ensure that we can afford the grace of His salvation.

Your life is a hefty price to pay for someone else’s; don’t you think? But this is what Jesus did. He not only paid for our sins with His life but also offers us life through the blood He shed. Now I wonder; did Jesus get what He paid for? Are you living your life in constant thanks and tribute to Him for His pricey sacrifice? Many would say we could never repay Jesus for what He did for us and this is true in the literal sense. But spiritually Jesus paid the price for our right to live sin-free. If we strive to live as He ordained, we are in turn repaying Him.  Just like we desire to get the most for our money, doesn’t Jesus deserve to “get what He paid for?”

Think about it!