In our world we use money in order to obtain what we need – food, services, vehicles, homes, utilities, etc.
John Piper in his July 26, 2024 edition of “Desiring God” devotion made this comment regarding money: “Money is simply a symbol that stands for human resources. Money stands for what you can get from man — other human beings — instead of God.”
But God’s currency is different.
God deals in the currency of His Son’s blood, mercy, grace, forgiveness, etc., not manmade currency. God’s currency is spiritual and eternal in value.
This is fabulous news! This means that everyone is on equal ground before God. No one can outbid another person for a relationship with our amazing God!
In Isaiah 55:1 it states: “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat.” Notice the call to come is to everyone who thirsts for God.
Everything that we need from God comes through Jesus. No one can buy their way to a right relationship with Christ. Jesus states that He is the only way to a true relationship with our Heavenly Father: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
What does it take to have a right relationship with God? We must come to Him, as is stated in Isaiah 55:1, above.
The following verses give God’s invitation to come to Him:
Matthew 11:28-30 states: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Are you burdened and overwhelmed in your efforts to have a relationship with God? Jesus wants you to come to Him to find relief. He offers you, for free, the great gift of eternal life. The promises in these verses are able to be experienced by us when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Revelation 22:17 states: “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
The sad truth is that not everyone wants to come to God. This truth is stated in: John 5:40 “Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”
Jesus explained why some don’t come in John 6:44: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”
How do we reconcile John 5:40 and John 6:44?
We cannot figure out this mystery because we are finite human beings. This is one of those truths God presents in His Word that cause us to have to believe God by faith, and trust that He, in His sovereignty has it all worked out.
Remember, faith is what pleases God. Habakkuk 2:4 states: “But the righteous one will live by his faith.”
Daily life is lived by trusting in the One we cannot see. He has provided clear evidence of His existence through creation, His Word, and the inner testimony His Spirit provides for all who will come to Jesus.
Do you tend to want to live more by what you see and understand, or are you willing to walk with God by faith, trusting Him at His Word?
God’s currency yields a far better return than anything we can buy with the world’s monetary system.
Please remember Jesus’ offer in John 7:37: “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”
If you thirst for truth, you will find Him in the Bible. Jesus clearly told people that He is the truth. See John 14:6, above.
1 Peter 3:3-4 is another reminder that God’s currency isn’t about manmade things, but is about a transformed life: “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
We cannot love money and God at the same time. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord] – Matthew 6:24, Amplified Version.
Do you understand that you are a sinner? A sinner is someone who recognizes that he or she fails to meet God’s holy standard, and needs Jesus to bridge that gap. Jesus willingly gave His life on the cross so that you and I can have complete forgiveness for all our sins – past, present and future! The Gospel message promises that Jesus made atonement for our sins. It promises that all who come to Him are sealed by His Holy Spirit at the instant of our redemption. It promises that Jesus is coming again!
Are you ready to meet Jesus when He returns? You can be if you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. This is the most serious decision of your life. Please don’t put it off – your eternal destination hinges on this decision.
Please contact me so we can discuss your eternal destination. You can reach me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!
Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.
Copyright 2024 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.