2. Free money
Once upon a time there was an evangelist who wanted to explain the meaning of faith (believing). He pulled a hundred dollar bill from his pocket and asked his audience if anyone would like to have it. His q
uestion was met with mixed reactions. Some didn't trust the evangelist. Others thought he was setting them up for a trick or a joke. It appeared no one in the crowd wanted the money, but then a small boy walked up to the evangelist and said he would really like to have it. The evangelist looked him in the eye and kindly said, “Here you go, it is yours now.” The boy thankfully accepted the money.
The crowd was holding their breath. What would happen next? But nothing happened at all! Some asked, “Will you really let him keep the money?” “But of course”, the evangelist replied. “It wouldn't be fair for me to take back what I have given him, would it?” “If I had known you were serious about it, I would have taken the money myself”, others said. The evangelist replied, “I offered it to you all, but there was no one willing to receive it, except for this boy.”
The people realized very well that they themselves were the reason they didn't get the money, even though it had been offered to them freely. No one had stepped forward to receive the money, except for the little boy. He simply believed what the evangelist had told him, and took the money home.
God offers much more than just money. He offers us His most beautiful and precious possession: His Son. And we can accept that gift by faith. That is, by believing:
- For God so loved the world (it doesn't say: “the elect”), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Believing means trusting. Anyone who trusts in the Lord Jesus will not perish, but have everlasting life. Do you believe this?
A thought to ponder on your own
Read Numbers 23:19. Do you believe God means what He says and promises?