Presently, families all across the country are facing financial strain. The economy is at an all-time low. Sales, so they say, are down all over the United States. Merchants are scratching their heads trying to work out a solution.

Television is notorious for spreading panic to the shopaholic. If the media tell us that sales are down or up, then it must be true. I sometimes think that the merchants and the media are in cahoots. We listen to the news, and right away we rush out to take advantage of all the sales and bargains.

If you shop like I do, you save every percentage off coupons you can get your hands on. I feel so clever when I present any one of these coupons to the cashier, thinking I am going to save a few dollars when, in all reality, I have just spent a large amount of money on something I didn't need in the first place.

I never seem to remember to read the fine print before trying to use a coupon. There always seems to be some reason I am not allowed to use it. The clerk will point out to me at the bottom of the coupon.

"See, right here it plainly states," she says, thoroughly enjoying your disappointment. Still, I keep clipping and saving them.

There are so many devious advertisements out there to get us in the department stores or mall. When Kmart has a blue-light special while we are in the store, we drop whatever we are doing and rush to the blue-light isle. The little smiley face at Walmart is so cute. He smiles down from his place atop every shelf, declaring he just rolled back the price on everything in the store.

My favorite is the ads that come from the automobile dealerships. I received by mail a huge card with a car key glued right on front. All I have to do is come in and try the key. If the key starts the automobile, it is mine. Now, I ask you, why do we think anyone has or ever will receive a car in this manner?

My point is the greatest purchase anyone could ever benefit from is free. How would you like to own a mansion? Live in a place where the streets are of the purest gold? Where there is no hate or stress? A place where life is eternal, without death or sorrow, a place where we will be at peace forever and reign with our God?.

There are no price tags, no coupons or blue-light specials, no keys to try, and no smiley faces. It is free to you if you want it. Jesus Christ paid the price for you with his spilled blood at Calvary. All you have to do is ask God to come into your life. This is the greatest sale ever recorded, and it is absolutely free.

The gospel of John, chapter 14, verses 1-2 tell us, "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you."

Shirley Valencia is a Granite City resident and a member of Calvary Baptist Church.