Captain Barclay, an eccentric Englishman, once bet another gentleman 500 British pounds that he could not sell 20 British sovereigns within an hour on London Bridge at a penny each. The sovereigns were actually worth 240 pennies each.
The bet was accepted, and Captain Barclay with the gold coins in his hands took his stand at a favorable spot.
"Gold, gold, genuine gold, a penny each!" he cried.
But the stream of people hurried along, paying no heed to his marvelous offer. Some smiled at the well-dressed man, doubtless wondering if he imagined that anyone would be foolish enough to believe him. But he continued his call: "Gold, gold, genuine gold, at a penny each!" But the Londoners were unbelieving.
The hour had nearly passed when a poorly-dressed man edged up to Captain Barclay, and riveting his eyes on the sovereigns, bought half-a dozen. On closer examination he was convinced of their true value and would have bought more. But the sixpence that he had invested was all the ready cash he had. Darting off to cash one of his newly-acquired gold pieces, he returned only to find the "sovereign-a-penny" man had gone. Captain Barclay therefore won the bet.
Greater and far more important things are illustrated by this incident: God at infinite cost has provided salvation for the perishing. He presses it on their acceptance as a free gift. But the masses of the people do not accept it on His terms. He pleads with them to take salvation freely, "without money and without price," but they think that this is too good to be true.
The "genuine gold sovereigns" were not offered as a free gift. It was certainly a splendid bargain to be offered a gold coin worth 240 pennies for one penny. But if God offered salvation on the ground of a sinner's heaving one single sigh — or shedding one only tear — or renouncing one sin—or performing a single good deed, then it would not be all of grace. Yet the Bible says: "By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8,9.
God is satisfied with what Christ did for us. Now He wishes us to be satisfied with that which satisfies Him. Look to Christ and you will obtain peace, pardon, and eternal life. Do not try to merit God's free gift of a full and present salvation.
Take salvation!
Take it now and happy be.