Coupon Pile by Carol Pyles_flickr.com_10866066513_b98f330b4f_CC BY ND 2.0

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ” Ephesians 3:20-21

I love a good bargain, don’t you? When the receipt shows I’ve paid less than half the retail cost I feel like I’ve won a small battle; like I’ve out-smarted the man (whoever he is).

But there is a limit to my bargaining. I don’t price-haggle, travel more than 5 miles, snip piles of coupons, purposefully collect “magic” supermarket coins, or stockpile anything I’ll never consume just because it’s free. That’s simply exhausting and wasteful.

If I were brave enough to climb upon a hernia-sized soap box from aisle #10 I’d shout, “Stop playing games and just lower the prices! Keep it simple!” The end. Amen. I just wanna purchase items at fair price without all the planning and strategizing.

And, guess what? We do not serve a $1.98 God.* When presented with our needs he doesn’t ask for a coupon or haggle over the price. It’s already paid for through his son, Jesus. God generously gives us the best from his heavenly storehouses; rich, overflowing and limitless supplies of everything we need. Sometimes, (most times) He slips a little something extra into our bag just because he loves us. All he asks is that we say, “thank-you”–a heartfelt word of gratitude–and share with others.

God keeps life simple. Out of a life of gratitude and thankfulness, he gives abundantly more than we can imagine and we walk away with free, joy-filled bags of the highest quality hope not only for ourselves, but also to share with those around us. Nothing ever goes to waste. Whatever we give away in his name, God always returns ten-fold.

My prayer for you today:

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19

*Original quote by Jennifer O’Neill