A shop owner placed a sign above his door that said: “Puppies For Sale.”

Signs like that have a way of attracting young children. Soon a young boy appeared under the store owner’s sign.

“How much are you going to sell the puppies for?” he asked.

The shop owner replied, “Some are thirty dollars, some are more.”

The boy reached into his pocket and pulled out some change. After counting it, he said, “I have two dollars and thirty-seven cents” he said. “Can I please look at them?”

“Well, I’m afraid I can’t sell you one of these puppies for a two dollars and thirty-seven cents. You’ll have to save your money and come back next time we have more puppies for sale.”

About that time, the store owner’s wife brought out another puppy that had been hidden in the back of the store. It was smaller than the other puppies, and had a bad leg. It couldn’t stand up very well, and when it tried to walk, it limped.

Immediately the young boy pointed to the limping puppy and said, “What’s wrong with that little dog?”

The shop owner explained. The veterinarian had examined the little puppy and discovered it didn’t have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame.

“Oh I wish I had the money to buy that puppy!” exclaimed the boy with excitement. “That’s the puppy I would choose!”

The shop owner said, “Well that puppy is not for sale, son. But if you really want him I”ll give him to you. No charge.”

The young boy got upset. He looked straight into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger, and said; “I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I’ll pay full price. In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for.”

The store owner was perplexed. “You don’t want to spend your money on this little dog, son. He is never going to be able to run and play with you like other puppies.”

To his surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg. The leg was supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the shop owner and softly replied, “I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!”

The man was now biting his bottom lip. Tears welled up in his eyes. He smiled and said, “Son, I hope and pray that every one of these puppies will have an owner such as you.”

We ALL need someone who understands!

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

• Do you enjoy shopping? Why or why not?
• How much money did you spend yesterday?
• Where did you spend it?
• What did you spend it on?
• What is something that you have bought recently that cost a lot of money?
• What is the most valuable thing that you own?
• What is the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?
• Have you ever bought something second hand (i.e. used)? Would you pay full price for it?
• When we are told that God bought us at a price and that price was his most valuable possession, his Son, how does that make you feel?
• If someone trades their most valuable possession for something else, what does that tell you about the thing that they traded for? How valuable is it?

Scripture says that we were “bought with a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 7:23) Jesus paid a very high price for you when he went to the cross. He did it because he loves you and wants you to be with him. And he understands what you are going through. As it says in the book of Isaiah, he was the “Suffering Servant” who “bore our iniquities.” He took all of the pain we deserve upon himself. (See also 1 Peter 2:24)

You may feel like an outcast, a nobody. You may think nobody likes you, that nobody wants you. You may be suffering, going through difficult times. Through all of that, you can be sure that Jesus understands. He knows exactly how you feel.

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

• Do you belong to Christ?
• What should our response be, knowing that we were bought at a high price?
• How can we glorify God with our bodies, our actions, everything we are and do?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

• Knowing that you are God’s most valuable possession, how does that make you feel?
• What can you do this week to show your gratitude to God for what he has done for you?

SCRIPTURES

• Isaiah 53:5 – “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
• 1 Corinthians 6:20 “you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (NIV)
• 1 Corinthians 7:23 “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” (NASB)
• 1 Peter 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (NIV)