Deal or No Deal? – 3rd May 2007
A quarter of a million pounds, 22 identical sealed boxes, and no questions except one – Deal or No Deal?
One by one the boxes are opened, sums of money disappear from the board, and in a bid to cut his losses the banker strives to make a deal with the player. It’s the banker versus the contestant in a game of wits, strength and endurance. Will they
take the deal on offer, or will they play on, hoping to strike a better deal in the next round? Will they play on to the end, faithful that they have a large sum within their own box, only to discover they are going home with 50p? Sometimes the player will ask for advice, often to then go on and ignore it, driven by their compulsion to get a better deal. And the golden rule – never enter into negotiations with the banker – he is a sly and cunning person!
I see a similar game of deals played out fairly regularly by my children. When asked to do something, they try and find ways to get out of it. At meal times, when faced with a plate of the dreaded greens, often we end up playing the game of deals.
“ I’ll eat 5 beans if I can have chocolate mousse for pudding….. “
Or we crack first “ Okay, if you help me clear out the rabbit you can have 50p pocket money.”
In a bid to keep the peace, especially at the end of a long day, often their deals win! However, there are times when there is no negotiation, no deal to be struck. What is asked is exactly what is expected of them. Full stop.
How often do you try and strike a deal with God? “ If I do this, Lord, will you do that for me…?” Do you put Him to the test and put Him to the test “ God, if you want me to give more to the church you’ll have to get me that new job….”
Jesus knows exactly what it means to be put to the test. In the desert, the devil put him to the test 3 times. (Matthew 4:1-11) Jesus’ response was simple –
“ Don’t try to test the Lord your God!” .
When faced with life’s issues, small and not so small, our response should be the same – don’t put God to the test. No negotiations, just accept the deal and do as He asks. Take what he offers you, and trust that He knows exactly what is best for us.
Deal or No Deal….? |
