A Good Return On God's Investment

Long before the professional football season begins, team owners and managers are busy negotiating trades and contracts. They’ll pay large sums of money to get the athlete who will help them win the Super Bowl championship.

When the season starts, all eyes are on the newly acquired talent to see if he was worth the cost. The ultimate measure of the player’s success is whether his contribution to the team is a good return on the investment.

In 1 Corinthians 6:20, Paul reminds us that we too have been “bought at a price.” The context paints a compelling picture of Christ’s great sacrifice. He liberated us from the cruel slave master of sin by buying us with the high price of His own life.

Understanding God’s great and loving investment in us should motivate us to gladly consider making His sacrifice rich in dividends. How is that return on His investment measured? By living to bring "glory" to Him! (Isaiah 43:7).

Our eyes, hands, feet, thoughts, dreams, and desires have been purchased to reflect the wondrous glory of God’s will and wisdom. In other words, we are no longer our own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Paul concluded: “Therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Living to reflect His glory is the return on investment that makes the Owner of our lives look good! (Matthew 5:16; cf. John 15:8; Philippians 1:11).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets