A dairy farmer went to buy a new pickup truck. He had seen an ad in the paper about discounts and factory rebates, so he decided to trade in his old clunker. He chose a new model and was ready to write the check for the full amount when the salesman said, "Wait, I haven't given you the final cost yet." The farmer said, "Isn't it the price I saw in the paper?" The salesman said, "No, that's for the basic model, all the options cost extra." So after the options were added, the farmer reluctantly wrote a check and drove off in his new pick-up.

                A few months later the car salesman called the farmer because he needed to buy a cow for his son's 4-H project. The farmer assured the car salesman he had several good milk cows for sale for $500. The salesman drove out and selected a cow and took out his checkbook to pay when the farmer said, "Wait, I haven't given you the final cost yet." Then he handed the salesman a bill that read:

                BASIC COW- $500

                Two-tone exterior- $45; Extra Stomach- $75; Milk storage compartment- $60; Straw recycle compartment- $120; Four handy spigots @ $10 each- $40; Leather upholstery $125; Dual horns- $45; Automatic rear fly swatter- $38; Natural fertilizer attachment- $185

                GRAND TOTAL- $1233

                I don't know for sure but I bet the salesman reluctantly wrote the check and loaded up his 'fully-loaded' cow and went home . My guess is that the farmer had a pretty big smile on his face after the transaction was complete.

                Many Christians are only interested in the basic model of Christian living. They don't want to pay the total cost of fully surrendering to and following Christ. May God find us willing to 'pay the price' as we commit to advancing the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ!