We can’t purchase salvation. Yet salvation must indeed be purchased.

The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
	Exodus 30:15–16
There have been groups throughout history who, on the basis of this verse, have said atonement for souls can be made by paying money. Can atonement be purchased? Can man be “at one” with God for a price? No. The entire Bible argues against that. We can’t purchase salvation. Yet salvation must indeed be purchased. And it was. Peter tells us we were redeemed not with corruptible things like silver and gold, but by the precious blood of the Lamb (1 Peter 1:18–19). Great is the day when we realize our lives are not our own, when we say, “If the Lord wants to take me through tragedy or difficulty, if He chooses to make me a pauper, send me to Africa, give me kids or give me none, I’m not my own. And because I’ve been bought with a price, I who was once headed for hell am destined for heaven.” By Pastor Jon Courson