The Less Than Obvious Decisions

27% of the earth’s surface is dry ground. Which in a high percentage of places is dirt. It’s pretty much everywhere that water isn’t.

Yet when it’s time to plant a garden, what do we buy? I know, it seems as crazy as buying…well…um…water.

I had to buy some dirt this week. Technically it’s a garden mix soil. Enhanced dirt.

I only needed one pick up truck load for a mere $29. I got no pick up. My dad’s is out of commission. The landscaping company could deliver but they charge a 2 load minimum ($58) + a delivery fee ($45) + tax for a grand total of $109. That’s a lot more than $29.

The choice is obvious. But not so fast. If I borrowed a truck, I would at least put in$20 gas because I’m a good guy. Then I would have it washed. Another $5. There’s the gas in my car to drive to and from where the truck is. Could be $5. In just dollars that’s $30 + $29 for the one load=$59. That’s still $50 less than option 1, but what about my time and energy?

It takes time to drive to the truck. Time to pick up the dirt. Time to take it to the house. Time, for crying out loud to unload the dirt.
Time to wash the truck. Time to return the truck. Time to drive home. I don’t have much money, but I have less time.

And who knows what the chiropractor’s bill would be for readjusting my back after unloading by shovel a yard of dirt?

Delivery means the ability to step outside and say, “Dump it right here, please.”

So I chose the less than obvious option. Which is sometimes the right one.

Life is full of choices. The most obvious decisions are not always the best. If someone offered you a choice of giving you $1 million dollars today or 1 penny today but they will double it for you every day for 30 days in a row, what would you choose? I’ve asked this questions of people several times now and no one has chosen the penny.

Poor choice.

A penny doubled every day for 30 days would amount to…well, see for yourself below.

Day 1: $.01
Day 2: $.02
Day 3: $.04
Day 4: $.08
Day 5: $.16
Day 6: $.32
Day 7: $.64
Day 8: $1.28
Day 9: $2.56
Day 10: $5.12
Day 11: $10.24
Day 12: $20.48
Day 13: $40.96
Day 14: $81.92
Day 15: $163.84
Day 16: $327.68
Day 17: $655.36
Day 18: $1,310.72
Day 19: $2,621.44
Day 20: $5,242.88
Day 21: $10,485.76
Day 22: $20,971.52
Day 23: $41,943.04
Day 24: $83,886.08
Day 25: $167,772.16
Day 26: $335,544.32
Day 27: $671,088.64
Day 28: $1,342,177.28
Day 29: $2,684,354.56
Day 30: $5,368,709.12

But we do know about some people who made the less than obvious decisions.

Who would choose to believe that their girlfriend got pregnant by the Holy Spirit? Joseph did.

Give up power and prestige to suffer beatings, stonings, shipwrecks and prison for the cause of Christ? The Apostle Paul did.

Suffer and die for wicked people? Jesus did.

Count the costs. The obvious or popular decisions can sometimes cost you everything.