Do You Love the Bag Or the Bargain?

Jen’s Gem: You are worthy.

Recently my daughter found a Longchamp’s tote at a thrift store. When she called me, her excitement was through the roof. She’d been looking for this item “forever,” she said. However, the bag had some issues. A nick here and there and honestly, it looked dingy to me.

She noted that she could get the bag fixed to which I responded that it’d likely cost her more than the bag itself. “But Mom, it’s a LONGCHAMP bag!” As we continued to Facetime, she decided to hold on to it out of fear of someone else scooping it up.

During this time, we discussed the idiosyncrasies of the bag and its unbelievable price tag. I hear tell these treasures go for well over $100. Finally I said to her, “What it really comes down to is this: Do you love the bag or the bargain?” She left it behind. 

I am not hip to the latest brands. The last one that I knew anything about was Jordache. (Yeah, I know.) If you look in my closet, you will be hard-pressed to find a popular name on my clothing. Recently, during my washer/dryer saga, I was asked if it mattered that the brand names of the machines matched. Nope. I just want it to work.

(PSA: pay attention when you hear yourself saying “just.”)

Fast forward to last week and these mismatched machines were hauled out of my condo. Praise God! After weeks of irrational shaking during the spin cycle and multiple attempts to right the wrong, I finally declared that enough was enough. A new washer/dryer unit is on its way to me.

Here’s what this experience has taught me and maybe my daughter. We were in love with the bargain more than we were with the item we were buying. It was the ‘thrill of the chase’ that drew us both in. Each of us was willing to settle for less than we deserved.

She walked away unscathed. I on the other hand aged a few years and will likely be paying for this contraption for just as long. Yet, had I simply purchased a new unit when the old one went south, I could’ve saved myself months of stress and hundreds of dollars in repair bills. 

Why was I willing to settle for second best? Why did the bargain appeal to me more? Was the thrill of “getting something for nothing” worth it?

I thought about this important lesson this week as it pertains to my relationship with God through His Son Jesus. Am I settling for less when God is offering me His best? Is a piece of a promise better than His whole promise? Is something better than nothing?

Let’s kick it up a notch:

Are we settling for less than God’s best because we don’t see ourselves as worthy? In our prayers, are we asking God for crumbs instead of the whole cake? As we confess the promises of God, are we feebly whispering them or shouting them from the mountaintops?

A teaching I heard this week confirmed by my Bible study brought light to this quandary (emphasis mine).


“Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31 NKJV) 

“Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.” (Isaiah 43:4 NKJV) 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NKJV) 


If I may paraphrase this last Scripture… For God considered you sooooo worthy, that He sent His only Son, Jesus to die for you so that you could live forever in heaven. Jesus – the name above all names. The Brand above all brands.

God’s not about bargains. He’s about the best. He sent His Best to us – His children because He deems us worthy. We may not feel worthy at times, but He thinks we are, because of Jesus.

I pray this week that you are able to see your worthiness and to know how much God loves you. I pray you never again settle for less than all that God has in store for you. I pray that the most treasured brand name in your life is the priceless name of Jesus.

If I can help you in any way to begin this journey of finding your worth in God’s eyes, please reach out to me. Leave the thrift store behind. You’re worth it!

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