The Worth of Heaven
Several years ago, USA Today reported the results of a Roper Starch Worldwide survey of the wealthiest 1 percent of US households or the 1 million households that have an annual income of at least $250,000 or a net worth at least $2.5 million. They were asked how much they were willing to pay for various sources of happiness, from being president to a place in heaven.
Two items were worth less than $100,000. At the bottom of the list was ‘being president,’ which was worth only $55,000 to respondents; even ‘great beauty’ was worth much more - $83,000.
The next three items made a jump to the $200,000s. For ‘reunion with a lost love,’ the rich were willing to part with $206,000; for ‘eternal youth,’ they were willing to pay $259,000; and for ‘talent,’ slightly higher, at $285,000.
‘Great intellect’ and ‘true love’ were priced over $400,000. Intelligence was worth $407,000, and ‘true love’ $487,000.
The fondest and most expensive wish on the rich folks' list was ‘a place in heaven,’ which was worth $640,000. It was eleven times more than the worth of ‘being president,’ eight times more than ‘great beauty,’ and twice more than the sum for ‘eternal youth’ or ‘talent.’ (“If I were a rich man” USA Today 10/24/97)
Actually, the respondents were wrong about the worth of heaven. Salvation is worth much, much more than $640,000 plus inflation, and it is something people cannot buy with money.
ⓒ Pastor Lee Hangyu http://www.john316.or.kr