BUYING AT NO COST

BUYING AT NO COST

I am fascinated by the lifestyles of the rich and the famous, who spend money unmindful of the cost, indulging in every bit of luxury, which we ordinary mortals, could only dream about. The only way we could possibly hope to be like them is in our fantasy, no wonder when the lottery hit more than half a billion, people flocked in droves to the betting stations, hopeful that by sheer stroke of luck, mixed with superstition, they would realize their dream of living out the rest of their lives wealthy and enjoying the pleasures of the idle rich, which they longed to be.

In the Book of Isaiah the Prophet, I am likewise fascinated by the Prophet’s proclamation to those who are thirsty, and have no money, to come and buy without money and without cost.  In the present world system  we inhabit where one could hardly survive without money, or without paying the cost of almost  anything, including the water we drink (thank God we are not charged for the air we breathe),  this promise  is almost unbelievable, even difficult to imagine.

Isaiah declared: “Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Why spend money on what is not bread and your labor that does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul may live.” (Isaiah 55:1-3)

The Lord God speaking through His prophet is inviting His people who are thirsty, those who have particular need, or those who are poor, the ones who have no money, to come to Him. He will surely satisfy them. Their needs would be met, and money is of no use to buy what they really need. The Lord God is calling his people to buy at no cost milk and wine, symbols of  abundant life  and spiritual blessings,  which only the Almighty can provide.  God is calling His people to come to Him the Living Water that refreshes and satisfies the soul.

The pursuit of material wealth is the strongest competition to ever surface against any organized religion. Dr. Charles Swindoll, Bible Teacher and President of Dallas Theological Seminary,   sharply observed that people work in their play and play in their worship.

The totality of one’s spending is the measure of a man’s stature. The materialism of this age has inflated the desire to accumulate more, that we are trapped into  thinking that greater possessions will bring lasting happiness.  But Isaiah, asks,  “Why spend your resources on the things that do not satisfy?”   He implores the people to listen and understand that they should partake of that which is good and delight in God’s  land of plenty.    

Bible Commentator Matthew Henry, wrote,“All the wealth and pleasure in the world, will not yield solid comfort and content to the soul. They do not satisfy even the appetites of the body; for all is vanity and vexation. Let the disappointments we meet with in the world, help to drive us to Christ, and to seek for satisfaction in Him only. Then, and not before, we shall find rest for our souls. Hear, and your soul shall live. On what easy terms is happiness offered us!”