Food is expensive. That’s what makes Canada’s first free grocery store so unique. After registering with the Food Bank Community Hub in Regina, Saskatchewan, clients in need of food book an appointment every two weeks. On their scheduled pickup day, they come into the food bank, cart their items and leave with nearly $200 worth of groceries per household. Final bill: $0.00.
Value = Benefits – Cost
With 16,000 monthly clients, Regina Food Bank has a lot of mouths to feed. To help with its operating expenses, the organization has been raising money from the community it serves. In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, 57 percent of its $3,188,901 in total contributions came from personal donations. 38 percent came from corporations. The remaining 5 percent came from grants and programs.
The food bank’s community benefits cannot be overstated. By addressing food insecurity, the organization is promoting better physical and mental health outcomes and reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
While these benefits are free, they come at great cost. Besides the financial contributions which have sustained the food bank, volunteers have donated 16,537 man-hours of their time to ensure its smooth operation. The organization’s staff contributed an additional 56,550 man-hours.
It is only when we consider the cost of making these resources free that we begin to appreciate the food bank’s real value.
The Cost of Redemption
So it is with the gift of eternal life. While salvation is free to those who put their faith in Christ, it’s anything but cheap. A King abandoned His throne to secure it. He exchanged His royal robes for our clothing. He traded golden streets for our dirt roads. He stepped out of eternity to enter our time and space. He surrendered His rights to unlimited power to embrace the limitations of our humanity. He even donated 289,080 man-hours (33 years) — to live among us. To serve us. To love us. To teach us. To heal us. To restore us. To comfort us. To challenge us. To convict us. To forgive us. To equip us. To die for us. . . . To save us.
Our awareness of the price Jesus paid for our redemption not only elevates its value; it gives our lives fresh meaning and purpose. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14–15)
Salvation cost the life of God. This free gift calls for a radical life commitment to the Giver. Not because we have to, but because of love — both His and ours. He loved us enough to give His life. The question is, Do we love Him enough to live for Him in return?
The Benefits of Redemption
If you are still hesitant to go all-out in your commitment, consider the other benefits of a relationship with Christ:
- The goodness of Christ (Romans 15:14)
- Competence to help others in their walk with Christ (Romans 15:14)
- Acceptance by God (Romans 15:16)
- Blamelessness (1 Corinthians 1:8)
- Ongoing personal and spiritual transformation into Christ’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18)
- Righteousness (Philippians 3:9)
- Holiness (Colossians 1:22)
- And plenty more. . . .
The Value Proposition of Redemption
That’s a value proposition too good to refuse. The benefits we receive far outweigh the price we are asked to pay. Are you ready to give your all for the One who gave His all for you? Your committed life will show the world the value of His sacrifice.
His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!
Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered ‘neath God’s rage.
Draped in His righteousness, I’m justified.
In Christ I live, for in my place He died.
Text: Chris Anderson
Music: Greg Habegger
Article by Cam Edwards
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