Fixed Price
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Straight to the Cross
COLUMN: Field Notes
Fixed Price
by Michael E. Brooks
"Again, the devil took him up on an exceedingly
high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of
the world and their glory. And he said to him,
'All these things I will give you if you will fall
down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him,
'Away with you Satan! For it is written, "You
shall worship the Lord your God and him only you
shall serve"'" (Matthew 4:8-11).
I have never been a very effective bargainer. I
usually don't have a proper idea of the true value
of goods, and am easily intimidated by sellers who
seem to know just what they deserve and who may
seem offended by my offers. Since I have been
traveling in areas where bargaining in the open
market is a way of life, however, I have learned
not only to participate but even to enjoy it.
Once on the streets of Kathmandu I was offered a
"Kukhuri" (Gorka soldier's knife) at 3,500 Nepali
rupees (about $50). I was actually planning to
purchase one of them at some point, and having
shopped a little I knew that their true price was
closer to 600 or 700 rupees, or about $10. I
offered 600, then kept walking. The vender
followed me all the way to my hotel, gradually
reducing his asking price, until just before I
walked through the door and out of his reach he
finally said, "Okay, I will take 600." I felt good
about having succeeded in buying something I
wanted at what I felt to be a fair price.
In many stores, however, bargaining is not
practiced. One offers less than the listed price
only to hear the storekeeper respond, "Fixed
Price". Since that is the system that prevails in
American retail business, I am usually pretty
comfortable with it. Take it or leave it, the
price is what it is. This system reflects a view
of reality and a philosophy that is easily
transferable to other matters.
Certain things are, or at least should be, non-
negotiable. One's honor, a nation's security,
truth, justice, genuine love -- there is no price
on these things, no bargaining or negotiating them
away. Jesus' reaction to Satan's attempt to buy
his adoration was the appropriate response. Jesus'
worship did not have a price -- it could not be
purchased. He worshipped God, and only God; no one
else could receive his devotion. Not all the
kingdoms of the world nor any other enticement
could change his allegiance.
Cynics claim, "Everyone has his price." Is that
really true? Can we be bought? Can our faith, our
love be purchased by enough money, or pleasure, or
power? Or is it given to God who made us and to
him alone?
Let us follow the example of our Lord and cry,
"Away with you Satan! For it is written ...."
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