Getting our first paycheck is always exciting, until we see how much they take out in taxes. Earning our own money, as teenagers, teaches us the value of a dollar and helps us to develop a strong work ethic. But what if our employer told us that he wanted to give us a gift, and then he just handed us our paycheck. Wouldn’t we ask, “Where’s the gift? This is just the money I earned.” Wages are payments we receive in exchange for acts that we’ve performed. A gift, on the other hand, is something we didn’t work for or earn. It is dependent upon the giver’s generosity. 

The wage we earn for living life apart from God is eternal death. But the gift of God, when we repent and accept Him as Lord of our lives, is eternal life. We still deserve punishment for our sins, but the blood of Jesus cancels out our debt and gives us the gift of forgiveness. We can’t earn this gift, yet it’s freely given to everyone who believes and receives it. What are you waiting for? Will you accept the gift?