What is your price?

My husband asks me sometimes, "How much would you take to do so-and-so?" I usually take the high ground and tell him that I would not do it for any amount of money, because I like to think that I am not for sale.

I am sorry to say that I believe we are all for sale.

Money is widely touted as "the root of all evil". In actuality, the apostle Paul's words were these: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (NIV)
He wrote these words to Timothy in the year 63. It gives me great comfort that people have not become more money-hungry in later times. We have, evidently, always been this way.

I am thinking, in particular to the very foundation of capitalistic society: Money can buy anything available. Now, I am not a socialist, but I do think that our love of money is getting us in trouble, widening the gap between the haves and have nots and just in general turning us into crappy people.

A "King of the Hill" episode last night was about an organic co-op run by hippies. They offered food that tasted like food should taste because it was antibiotic- and pesticide-free. They became successful and ultimately bought out by MegaLo Mart (WalMart), which turned it into a smaller version of the superchain. Food was processed again, cows were kept in cages, blah, blah, blah. The difference was that the hippies now had cell phones and BMWs. They sold out.

We all sell out. We say we are not for sale but, in actuality, we are just waiting on the right price. The ones who are "not for sale" are simply more expensive than the others. That's why the Colorado River is drying up - Donald Trump found the right price to purchase the land for his casinos. That's why we have more and more development instead of more and more wide open spaces. The developer found the right price point for his product. The all-American dollar is very enticing, akin to selling your soul to the devil.

Remember Robert Johnson? He met the Devil at the crossroads one night. Satan tuned his guitar, played a few songs and returned it to Johnson, giving him mastery over playing, singing and songwriting. Johnson's music has influenced many, many musicians, but at what price? Wonder what the Devil exacted from Johnson, when his time was right.

What will he exact from YOU when the time is right? Think before you decide on your price.