A young man who had recently graduated from college was approached by an older gentleman he knew from the community.\u00a0 Their conversation went something like this:<\/p>\n
\u201cCongratulations young man.\u00a0 You\u2019ve worked hard and now you have your degree.\u00a0 You should be proud.\u201d It is generally believed that \u201cJesus died to pay the price for the penalty of our sins\u201d.\u00a0 The trouble is, the Bible doesn\u2019t say that Jesus paid for anything.\u00a0 It does say He bought<\/strong> us. He redeemed us.\u00a0 He purchased<\/strong> us with His blood.\u00a0 So, He owns<\/strong> us.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThank you sir; it was difficult.\u201d
\n\u201cAnd I suppose that you have a substantial college debt.\u201d
\n\u201cThat\u2019s true for sure.\u201d
\n\u201cI would like to pay off your debt.\u201d
\n\u201cYou would? WOW that would be fantastic!!!\u00a0 But, you said you would like<\/strong> to.\u00a0 Are there any conditions?\u00a0 I\u2019ll send you Christmas cards for the rest of my life.\u201d
\n\u201cYes there is a condition.\u00a0 If I pay off your debt, I will own you.\u201d
\n\u201cYou will own me?\u201d Says the startled young man.\u00a0 \u201cWhat does it mean, \u2018you will own me\u2019?\u201d
\n\u201cIt means that I will have a claim to anything you earn, to any of your assets, and whenever you have a significant decision to make, you will consult me.\u201d
\n\u201cWhoa, that\u2019s pretty heavy.\u00a0 I need to think about this for a while.\u00a0 Have you done this with others?\u201d
\n\u201cYes, it is heavy and you should think very carefully about it because it\u2019s a very important decision.\u00a0 And yes, I have done this with many others. I encourage you to talk with them.\u201d<\/p>\n