The Trademaster
5:05 PM
In Lois Lowry’s Giver quartet the world has been splintered by some unnamed apocalypse and people now live in separate, disconnected, and often brutal societies. However, in one of these individual societies, the inhabitants have been able to create a utopia of sorts where people are loving, the community thrives, and everyone is welcome. One day a new character appears in the town calling himself “the Trademaster” and offering to give people what they want most right now if they will trade him some intangible trait they value less. For example, a beloved teacher and caring, single father desires to court one of the women in town but is hampered by his physical appearance. The Trademaster offers him beauty and strength as a trade for his kindness and generosity.
As I read about the Trademaster I couldn’t help but think of how similar his tactics are to those of a real and deadlier adversary. Just like the Trademaster, Satan would have us live in a world of “now” where present wants crowd out any concern for future consequences. That new electronic device, that beautiful car, that new job, that enticing promotion, that attractive hobby all call to us. Satan, the Trademaster, stands ready to offer them if we will give to him our standards, our tithing money, our Church service, our personal scripture study, or our quality family time. Just as he once tempted Jesus, Satan uses the simple, two-letter “if” in his offer to us: “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me” (Matt 4:9). We may not see the damage the trade does down the road, but we will assuredly learn when we arrive how poor a trade we made.
In finance there is a concept called “the time value of money.” It is simply this: a dollar today is worth two dollars tomorrow if wisely invested. In other words, you could spend your money now for something you want, or you could invest it, let the interest grow and compound, and buy something more expensive down the road. Anyone who gains, retains, and grows their personal wealth acts on this principle. It takes, of course, time and patience; in comparison to your contemporaries you will not have the newest, the fastest, nor the best. However, in 20, 30, 40 years, when those peers are pressured by the debts of feeding their incessant wants, you will be financially stable and in a better position to support yourself and your family.
I have often wondered if this temporal principle mirrors a similar, eternal principle. Call it “the time value of obedience.” It is simply this: obedience today is worth inestimable blessings later, if that obedience is decidedly and diligently given. In other words, you could spend your life now doing the things you want, or you could be obedient to God’s will and commandments, let that obedience grow and compound, and be worthy of greater rewards down the road. Anyone who gains, retains, and grows their personal testimony acts on this principle. It takes, of course, time and patience; in comparison to your contemporaries you will not act, speak, nor live like the world. However, in future years and in a future eternity, when those peers are pressured by the debts of heeding the incessant call of the world, you will be spiritually stable and an in a better position to support yourself and your family.
Questions:
- What do you feel are the most tempting and/or dangerous trades offered to us today?
- What are you doing in your life to retain what’s most valuable and reject trades?
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