by Pauline Herdman (in Costa Calida Chronicle, November 2024)
What does the word buy mean? We do, of course, use cash or card (or mortgage when buying a house) for whatever we need or want. We obtain something in exchange for payment. So if someone were to say to you “You who have no money buy” how would you figure that one out? Surely if you have no money you cannot buy anything?
But in His Word, the Bible, God is saying we can buy without money.
In the Old Testament Isaiah 55 has an invitation in verse 1 to those who are thirsty to come to the waters.
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”
This is an invitation to anyone and everyone, to come just as they are. Nobody has to be clever or academic or clean up their act and be perfect before they come to God. God meets us – just as we are – at any time and in any place.
If buying is all about exchanging and obtaining then think about…
Exchanging sin for God’s righteousness. We approach God with our sins and He takes them in exchange for His free salvation. We exchange our guilt for God’s forgiveness and cleansing. We can exchange our burdens for God’s freedom. We can exchange our distress for comfort. We bring our problems to God and exchange them for answers.
We exchange our worry for God’s peace. We exchange our weaknesses for God’s strength. We exchange our brokenness and hurt for God’s healing.
Is there something that you desperately need but don’t have any means to obtain it?
We work to earn money. What do we spend our money on? We are encouraged not to spend money on what does not satisfy. Rather, God is longing for us to approach Him for things that do satisfy… and to buy whatever we need without money!