See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are!” 1 John 3:1
First it was the scale…today something else. One Tuesday I wrote a story about a dusty scale and a season of regret. Strangely, today, I find myself writing a story that is a little similar but totally different. It is a story about neglect and loss. You see, I have always been a frugal fellow. Some would say I am a little tight, but I prefer frugal. What is frugal? Well, according to the Oxford Dictionary when someone is frugal it means that they are sparing or economical regarding money or food and I guess that describes me.
Let me explain. When we go to a restaurant and look at the menu, my wife Judy is totally motivated by what sounds good. I, on the other hand, am motivated by the value of the menu. In other words, I want good value for my money. Someone (my wife) has taught me a lesson about money (by the way, not the most important one but a good lesson). She told me, more than once, remember you can only spend it once. Good advice and so I make my choice carefully.
Now would be a good time to remember that money is neutral (not good or bad) and that it is just a tool. It must never become an idol and must never be more important that a whole lot of other things like, God, family, and people. Its ok if money is your friend but don’t make it your best friend…reserve that spot to the three I just listed. Now, with all that said, the Bible tells us that we are to be good stewards of the things that God places in our hands. So being frugal is not only ok…it’s Biblical.
So, what is this story all about? Well, it is sitting on my desk staring at me while I write. It is a red Visa gift/debit card. I’ve had it for quite a while…in fact too much of a while. At one time it had a value of $25 but today it is worth the grand total of zero. What happened? Well, when I received it, either as a gift or for going to some conference, I filed it away for another time and well…that time never came. The expiration date says it all—08/21. Since I am writing this on 12/23—well, you can see the problem. Expired. Over. Finished. Oh, I went to the website just to check. I mean surely there was an exception. There wasn’t.
Turns out I’m in good company since nearly half (47 percent) of U.S. adults have at least one unused gift card, gift voucher or store credit, according to a new Bankrate study. And those gift cards aren’t small change, the average is $187 a person—a total value of $23 billion nationwide.
I think the thing I hate the worst about all of this is the fact that whether it was a gift or something I got at a conference—it was wasted. The only one who benefitted was the company that issued it and they didn’t even send me a letter thanking me for the contribution. And as we just read is that a sizable portion of gift cards are never redeemed. How crazy is that? The only thing I can think of that is crazier than that is how many people never redeem the greatest gift ever—God’s offer of forgiveness and eternal life.
I can’t do a thing about that little red card laying on my desk, but it is not too late for you to do something with God’s great, big Christmas gift—eternal life through His Son. If you never have, while not receive that gift today? With open hands and heart, He is just waiting to give it to you. And with that gift comes the confident assurance that your days of facing life alone are over. From now on, you can believe and know that no matter what—He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 