We just bundled several services for a better price and more items. In fact, the price we were quoted for four services was what we had before paid for two. We asked every question we could think to ask. Everything sounded good and we were thrilled.
We just got the first bill. I spent the next half hour on the phone trying to find out why this bill was 30% higher than I was told it would be. Easy one, as it turns out. The quote I got was the base price and did not include taxes, surcharges and all sorts of fees.
I was not happy. Yet, after I sat down and refigured everything, we were still getting four services for the price we had formerly paid for three. We are still saving money, which was the reason for the whole switch. Everything had become higher than our new retirement budget allowed and now, despite my disappointment, we are still under budget.
Don’t you just hate fine print? I would much rather know what the total price is, not be surprised with it when the first bill arrives.
Jesus did not believe in fine print either. He laid it on the line.
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.”
“I came not to bring peace but a sword.”
“Go and sell all you have and follow me.”
“If any would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
“You shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.”
“Some of you will be put to death.”
“If you do not repent, you shall all likewise perish.”
“Go thy way and sin no more.”
Jesus told everyone what to expect. He never sugar-coated it. He never promised wealth and ease in this life. What he did promise was a life of bliss and glory--in Eternity, not in Time. And it isn’t a bait and switch.
He never said you won’t be persecuted. In fact, he told his people to count on it. He told them to rejoice when they were badly treated. It puts us in good company. “For so persecuted they the prophets before you.”
He never said wealth would accompany our conversions. In fact, he called wealth a danger to our souls.
He never said we would be healthy; that no trials of life would ever touch us. He simply said, “I know how you feel. I will not forsake you.”
Jesus spelled it out. We can know the final bill before it ever arrives. If we are shocked because we have to suffer, then we just ignored what we did not want to hear. He never tried to hide it.
He also told us exactly what He will give us. I am still getting a good deal on my little bundle, but it doesn’t compare to the deal I get with the Lord. What the Lord offers is beyond our imaginations. Even the words God uses for our frail intellect cannot express the glory that awaits a child of God.
Go ahead and sign the contract. You won’t have a nasty surprise in the mail. And if you have signed already, remind yourself of the bundle that awaits you, especially if you are in the midst of trials now. It is well worth the cost.
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things; enter you into the joy of your lord. Matthew 25:23
Dene Ward
We just got the first bill. I spent the next half hour on the phone trying to find out why this bill was 30% higher than I was told it would be. Easy one, as it turns out. The quote I got was the base price and did not include taxes, surcharges and all sorts of fees.
I was not happy. Yet, after I sat down and refigured everything, we were still getting four services for the price we had formerly paid for three. We are still saving money, which was the reason for the whole switch. Everything had become higher than our new retirement budget allowed and now, despite my disappointment, we are still under budget.
Don’t you just hate fine print? I would much rather know what the total price is, not be surprised with it when the first bill arrives.
Jesus did not believe in fine print either. He laid it on the line.
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.”
“I came not to bring peace but a sword.”
“Go and sell all you have and follow me.”
“If any would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
“You shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.”
“Some of you will be put to death.”
“If you do not repent, you shall all likewise perish.”
“Go thy way and sin no more.”
Jesus told everyone what to expect. He never sugar-coated it. He never promised wealth and ease in this life. What he did promise was a life of bliss and glory--in Eternity, not in Time. And it isn’t a bait and switch.
He never said you won’t be persecuted. In fact, he told his people to count on it. He told them to rejoice when they were badly treated. It puts us in good company. “For so persecuted they the prophets before you.”
He never said wealth would accompany our conversions. In fact, he called wealth a danger to our souls.
He never said we would be healthy; that no trials of life would ever touch us. He simply said, “I know how you feel. I will not forsake you.”
Jesus spelled it out. We can know the final bill before it ever arrives. If we are shocked because we have to suffer, then we just ignored what we did not want to hear. He never tried to hide it.
He also told us exactly what He will give us. I am still getting a good deal on my little bundle, but it doesn’t compare to the deal I get with the Lord. What the Lord offers is beyond our imaginations. Even the words God uses for our frail intellect cannot express the glory that awaits a child of God.
Go ahead and sign the contract. You won’t have a nasty surprise in the mail. And if you have signed already, remind yourself of the bundle that awaits you, especially if you are in the midst of trials now. It is well worth the cost.
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things; enter you into the joy of your lord. Matthew 25:23
Dene Ward
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