We have trouble sometimes confusing two very different terms: cheap and inexpensive. We often treat them as synonyms. But deep in our soul, we know there is a dramatic difference between the two. One has to do with the quality of something, the other has to do with value. This difference is definitely seen in our spiritual lives.

    The fleshly part of us would like spiritual growth to be easy. We often jump on the fad bandwagon and try the newest spiritual exercise, the latest spiritual how to book, the newest Bible study craze, the hottest new spirituality seminar. We can even make church a quick, cheap substitute for spiritual growth—nothing more than a booster shot, pump up experience that we use without any supporting daily spiritual disciplines.

    Throughout the Old Testament, in Jesus’ teaching, and in the life of the early Church, God’s spokespeople call this cheap, or counterfeit, spirituality. It’s not inexpensive, because like most cheap things, it breaks quickly and has to be replaced by some other “cheap thing” to keep us going. In the long run, it proves to be very expensive because it fails under fire. But to our flesh, it’s a quick and easy way out, so we often take it, only to find that cheap spiritual counterfeits nearly always lead to spiritual disaster!

We would like spiritual growth to be easy.

    As we begin the New Year, let’s remember that most people will fail on their resolutions within the first two weeks of the New Year because they are willing to settle for some cheap substitute for true spiritual change. For us to grow spiritually, we must resist the lure of cheap, and commit to the challenging daily spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, forgiveness, and intentional obedience. These are really the most inexpensive spiritual investment we could ever make. Sure, they are much harder at first glance than cheap counterfeits. Over time, however, they pay huge dividends and lead to untold blessings. Rather than being costly, they’re inexpensive.

    Let’s not settle for what is cheap, when God longs for us to find what is invaluable but ultimately inexpensive.

Afterword: We have several daily spiritual activities to help you with prayer and with daily Bible study. Check out our Bible Study options and our Prayer Plans and make that inexpensive investment that pays great dividends!