I’ve been wanting to write this article for some time now,
as the Moose and I regularly state; “what’s your price” when we see things or
are faced with issues. I’m just finally
getting around to putting pen to paper, fingers to the keyboard.
I was reading a book recently by Max Lucado, When God Whispers
Your Name. In it was a chapter on “what
is your price”. Sounds like an
inconspicuous question really until you dig a bit deeper and take a look at the
world around you.
The premise is you are part of a game show audience. Picture the Price is Right. As you sit there taking in the big lights,
cameras and frenzied crowd believing you’ll never be chosen, because if you’re
like me you don’t get picked for wild adventures or grandiose opportunities. Your
name is called. Woo hoo!
Now imagine the prize.
It’s not a much dreamed about vacation or shiny sports car, its 10 million
dollars! I always picture Dr. Evil from
the Austin Powers movies with his pinky at the corner of his mouth. 10 million dollars!!!! Just imagine what you can do with that much
money. I know what I could do with that
much money, new digs for the animals at The Compound, and maybe a really nice
farm house for the Moose and me. I know
of a few charities I’d sure like to help out in a big way, not to mention
family and friends that could use a leg up. You can have it all, just by
answering one simple, small question; what is your price?
You have to choose one option in order to get the
money. Did I mention 10 million
dollars?!
Here’s your list;
Put your children up for adoption
Become a prostitute for a week
Give up your US citizenship
Abandon your church
Abandon your family
Kill a stranger
Have a sex change operation
Leave your spouse
Change your race
Now make your choice.
As your family and the frenzied crowd wait in bated breath
for your answer, your mind wonders, your heart races, YOU have to choose. Just think of all the good you could do with that money.
Max Lucado concludes by relating information on a national
survey where people were asked the same questions;
7% would murder for money
6% would change their race
4% would change their sex
What’s even sadder?
25% would abandon their family or their church
23% would prostitute themselves for a week
16% would walk away from the US or leave their spouse
13% would give up their kids
Finally, two-thirds would agree to at least one and some to
even several of these options. The
majority would not leave the stage empty handed; they are willing to pay the
price.
The moral of the story is even though we are not
faced with the opportunity for 10 million dollars, we are faced with situations
for opportunities that require us to give up far less for far less. People will walk away from their families, faith
or morals for immediate gratification. What will the world look like in a time of crisis? Just
another reason to keep on getting prepared, and more importantly, getting right
with God.
