$100,000! Really?
posted by on 04/14/09
Thus was my reaction when I heard that this was the breathtaking reward offered for the winner of the Shelby Kennedy Foundation’s world-class National Bible Bee Competition. What would you do with $100,000? I was unprepared for the overwhelming avariciousness which began to envelop me as I pondered this question and the materiality of the prospect began to sink in. With it came an irresistible, but strangely unfamiliar, craving to attain the prize. Suddenly I was willing to sacrifice my time, effort, and plans to do whatever it would take to prepare for the contest and get that $100,000!
Then God’s Spirit convicted me. “Wisdom is better than rubies.” How quickly had my priorities shifted out of balance! If I truly value wisdom more than money, I will have an even greater driving passion for digging into the Scriptures than I have for winning any monetary award.
We still did not hesitate to enroll, but it was with a whole new understanding of Proverbs 8:11 and 16:16. In fact, it does not greatly concern me whether I win or not. There is no way to lose! Studying God’s Word and getting to know Him on a deeper personal level will yield a lifetime of rewards and benefits far more valuable and precious than any amount of money!
There are only a couple more weeks to sign up. Click here to learn more and join the competition now!
Excellent perspective, Daniel! Wisdom is “more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her” (Proverbs 3:15).
Yes, well-said Daniel.
One reward that we have already begun to experience as a family is extra attentiveness to detail as we read the Bible, so that we will be prepared to answer the study questions. It is a delight to search the scriptures with you Daniel.
May the Lord richly reward your study Daniel!
That was a very wise response, freeing you from a lot of stress that could have ended up doing you more harm than the money could make up for.
The *real* treasure is the Scripture you retain in your heart for it will be with you the rest of your life.
[...] most immediate next step I see ahead for me is preparing for this year’s National Bible Bee Competition. Also on the horizon may be serving at the IBLP Headquarters in the Finance Department [...]
[...] Since April, Daniel has been studying hard for the National Bible Bee. This weekend he is one of 100 finalists in his age group from around the nation who are gathering in Washington DC for the grand finale. Please be praying for him and be sure to check out his contestant details page on biblebee.org! [...]
[...] Daniel first decided to enroll in the Bible Bee back in April, he wrote, “It does not greatly concern me whether I win or not. There is no [...]
[...] prize was pretty incredible, it really only underscored the inestimable value of God’s Word. Daniel wrote, “Studying God’s Word and getting to know Him on a deeper personal level will yield a [...]