Time to do a budget
by Pastor Mark Gierus
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Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? (Isaiah 55:2)
Do you do a regular budget? Do you like to notice where you are spending your money and plan to buy things when you need them? But how many of us spend our money on things that are not really what we need?
In today’s reading, you and I are invited to come – to come and buy something valuable without money and without cost. This sounds too good to be true. Surely there is a catch? Or perhaps you might think this is an absolute bargain.
The invitation is to those who are thirsty and those who have no money. But is the invitation only for those who have no money? ‘Come buy and eat’ suggests there might have been some food – maybe bread – that goes along with the wine and the milk. This is starting to sound like a banquet for free. ‘Come buy without money’ – so this is simply to receive. Come and receive the wonderful blessings of a feast.
But now the suggestion is that perhaps people with money and work are invited too. Why spend your money on what is not bread or work for what will not satisfy?
So do you spend your money on the right things? Are you working for the things that satisfy you? Perhaps you are building up riches for yourself and working for what you might imagine will get you to heaven or give you eternal joy? Or are you coming to receive the free gifts of God, his love, his mercy, his grace, his forgiveness and his healing?
Come and receive the free gifts of God in his Son, Jesus. Come without money. Come as you are to receive forgiveness, eternal life and salvation. Come to be saved from sin, eternal death and the power of the devil because of the work of Jesus on the cross for you. This gift is offered as a feast to you in faith by the very word of God.
Working for and spending money on the right things is easy as you follow Jesus. Easy as you accept his invitation to come and walk with him in faith. So live out the freedom you have in Jesus, boldly keeping your eyes on your Lord. The best thing is that he will give you the strength to do so.
O Lord, thank you so much for all you give me without cost, except that of your only Son Jesus who suffered and died for my sins and won the victory over sin, death and the devil – all because you love me. Let me feast on your goodness, your love, your mercy, your grace and your peace in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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