QUITE SOME TIME AGO, an old witty Irish preacher by the name of Archie Stewart related an amusing incident to me that I will pass on to you.

Years ago at a religious gathering, John Wesley was scheduled to preach. Being the founder of the Methodist movement, he drew crowds. A follower persuaded an old miser to go with him to hear the famous preacher. As Wesley spoke he mentioned three vital points for Christian behavior. The first point was - “Make all the money that you can.” The miser whispered to his friend, “Say, that man is really a good preacher!” After elaborating on his money-making point, Wesley went on to say, “My second point is, that after you have made all the money that you can, save all the money you can.” Again the miser whispered to his companion, “Say, that man’s preaching is gettingbetter!” After exhorting his audience to prudence in monetary affairs, Wesley proceeded to his third point. Very solemnly the preacher said, “After you have saved all the money you can, give it all to the Lord.” The miser gasped and, leaning over to his friend, exclaimed, “That man just went and ruined his whole sermon!”

Wesley’s exhortation may have been good advice for Christians, but the question remains: does one have to give anything to become a Christian? Seemingly the religious world has adopted the foreign idea that the only way to obtain God’s eternal salvation is through giving. God contradicts this generally accepted idea by revealing that one’s salvation is not a matter of giving, but rather a matter of taking! Does that sound strange to you? — then continue to read for more surprises!

Doing Your Best

This old world has thousands of different religions and every one of them emphasizes works for salvation. However, God exclaims, My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 55:6). Contrary to God’s thoughts, some mortals have been programmed with the idea that the only way to heaven is to do the best that they can. However, God distinctly says that salvation is “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). Could anything be plainer than that? But one might say, “I have been told that I have to do good works to obtain salvation.” I am willing to believe what any person says as long as they agree with God. After all, is not God the highest authority? If it is God’s salvation that I want, then it is only reasonable to confess that I must obtain that salvation His way. Is the preacher who proclaims that we must work for salvation right? Let God give the answer! He plainly says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9). Could any statement be clearer? – “Not of works”! “Not of works”! Not of works”! I cannot emphasize it too much!

Giving Your Heart or Money

Others proclaim, “Give the Lord your heart.” God replies, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). Giving God something that He terms, “desperately wicked” as payment for salvation can hardly be termed rational! It won’t work! Still others believe that giving to the church will secure heaven for them. However, God says through the apostle Peter, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:20).

God’s salvation is a gift from the Lord Himself! God says, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). A gift is something that is free. God offers eternal life (salvation) as a gift. This gift was purchased at tremendous cost to God. Speaking of all those who have salvation the Holy Bible says - “Which He (God) hath purchased with His (Christ’s) own blood” (Acts 20:28). My dear friend, that is exactly why Christ died! He shed His precious blood and died on a cross “to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26). He died to make full payment for your salvation! Thus on the cross He cried, “It is finished,” meaning “Paid in full” (John 19:30). To souls that are thirsty for salvation, God exclaims, “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). “But as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). Can you see it, my friend? God gives His salvation and all you need to do is take it! Christ was raised from the dead and now lives in heaven. Listen to what He tenderly says to YOU! –

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).