Gift cards

I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Retailers love to sell gift cards.  One reason is that it gets customers into the store ready to spend money.  When you have a gift card, it puts you into the mindset of having to purchase something.  You don’t necessarily go shopping for a product that you need.  You probably haven’t done a careful price comparison in search of the best deal before entering the store.  You just have a gift card burning a hole in your pocket, and who knows what might catch your eye to spend it on?  On top of that, the merchant hopes that you will spend more on your visit than just the face value of the gift card; and why wouldn’t you fill up the shopping cart when some of it is paid for already?

An even bigger reason that retailers love gift cards is because so many of them never get redeemed.  The card gets lost in a stack of papers or finds its way to the bottom of a purse; by the time it resurfaces the expiration date has passed.  This is pure profit for the retailer, and the reason for placing expiration dates on gift cards.

God has given you a gift card.  In fact, He gives every man, woman and child the same gift card.  That card has incredible value.  It has the ability to pay off completely your debt of sin—every mistake, every cross word, every missed opportunity to show kindness.  On top of that, this gift card also serves as a gate pass into heaven when you die!  This gift card was issued when the Son of God gave up His life on the cross for all sinners.  This card is offered to all people, free of charge—a gift of undeserved love from the Lord of heaven and earth.

Sadly, a great number of these cards go unredeemed.  There are many who don’t see any use for the card because they are uninterested in God and what He offers.  There are many who are glad to have the card, but they get busy with other things and forget to use it, allowing the expiration date to pass unnoticed.  Although Christ died for all people, far too many end their lives in tragedy because the gift card was not used before death voided the offer.  Without the debt of sin paid off, without an entry pass to heaven, well, let’s just say they will have much to regret in the time ahead. I urge you, cash in your gift card signed by Jesus with His blood while there is still time; don’t let His offer of grace go unclaimed.