Return on investment

You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit. — 1 Corinthians 6:20

Long before the US professional baseball season begins each spring, 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 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 players’ 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.

Getting a grip on 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! 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.

Paul concluded, “Therefore glorify God in your body” (v. 20). Living to reflect His glory is the return on investment that makes the Owner of our lives look good!       — Joe Stowell

Redemption’s price our Savior paid

When all our sins on Him were laid;

He took our guilt, He bore our shame

That we may glorify His name. — D. De Haan

READ: 1 Corinthian 6:12-20

Our choice to bring glory to God yields a great return on Christ’s investment.

The Bible in one year:

• Ruth 1-4

• Proverbs 8:1-11