What’s Your Price?
I have a website set up for a small business doing weddings. This week, I was contacted by a couple who live about 2 hours away from here about doing their ceremony and they said they wanted a "non-religious" ceremony this June, with about 35-40 guests. They said there was a conflict of religions within the family and to keep from having a fight, they wanted a "religious neutral" ceremony. I told them that I could and would do that for them, and asked them to send me a copy of what they were wanting in the wedding so as to make sure I was in agreement with their desires. Today they sent me a copy of what they wanted for their ceremony, and it was NOT a non-religious ceremony, but rather a pagan ceremony, celebrating the "mother spirit" that supposedly leads and guides all forces in and on the earth. I told them I would not do this ceremony. They kept raising their offer and got to $1000, plus my motel and another $150 for mileage and food expenses. I told them I simply would not compromise my beliefs for any amount of money. (I'll admit... it was tempting.)
Here's the kicker. After all that, they sent me another email back saying that I was the man they wanted for their wedding, that all this had been a test to see if I truly believed and stood by what I said I did. They told me that they had done this with 4 other ministers and all four had in fact sold out, for less than what they had offered me. Turns out, they want a Christian ceremony, AND they asked me to preach a short Gospel sermon at the ceremony because most of their guests will be unsaved friends and family!
Here's the kicker. After all that, they sent me another email back saying that I was the man they wanted for their wedding, that all this had been a test to see if I truly believed and stood by what I said I did. They told me that they had done this with 4 other ministers and all four had in fact sold out, for less than what they had offered me. Turns out, they want a Christian ceremony, AND they asked me to preach a short Gospel sermon at the ceremony because most of their guests will be unsaved friends and family!
I'm stunned... and very thankful that I made the right choice. Someone dangles $1000 in front of your face for a 15 minute ceremony, temptation rises! The thought crossed my mind that it was 2 hours away and no would ever know. But I told myself that I would know, and my God would know... and I was not going there. Thank God for strength!
But this has me wondering... just what is our price? What's mine? I hope this causes me to be even stronger in the future because we just don't know when we are being tested... by man OR God!
