It has been almost 20 years since I was involved in off road racing as a
major sponsor. I got to know and was well known among the Trophy Truck and
professional crowd, and the following story is told to me by a man who shot TV
commercials using off road legends. His story will be used without naming
names, as a professional courtesy. It seems this off road legend showed up, and
they walked through the commercial. He understood what to do, and they told him
“just read the cue cards,” which sounded easy enough. But after a few takes,
it appeared he was ad libbing, and not even following the story. It was then
that a sound man jokingly said “I don’t think he can read.” Dismissing the
statement at first, a few more takes were just as disastrous, and so they wrote
a cue card calling him names, and insulting him. Same results, he in fact
couldn’t read! Never did hear how it ended, and can’t remember the commercial.
Somehow this off road legend had amassed millions of dollars and fans, yet
couldn’t even read a headline about it. And I had an appointment with him to
discuss sponsorship. My whole game plan had to change, all based on one
story.
Our first meeting went well, he had heard of my company and also of me. I
was to put together a plan based on his usage, his race team was huge and
involved other racers, and we would meet the next week. Confident that after he
had checked me out, which he did, and was impressed, I had hope. Always in the
back of my mind of how he couldn’t read. So I dealt with his crew chief this
time, who could read, and told me they loved the program. They had checked out
the product, me, the service and delivery, and liked the contingency plan. I
was feeling good, until he mentioned prices, and I thought “uh oh, here we go
again.” It always comes down to money. But I was to be surprised, it seems my
pricing was too low. He billed his major sponsor, Chrysler 7% on top of
everything he bought, a 7% commission to himself. And my prices were too low,
he was being charged, knowingly way too much for supplies, and making a good
living based off of it. They were sorry, but my low prices would cost them
money. It seems this legend may not have been able to read, but he sure could
add! And looking at my commission, 15% of nothing was still nothing. He had a
7% solution to his racing team.
As much as I hated to not get his business, I was glad also. In the long
run guys like that get caught, and even if his reputation was the only damage, I
didn’t want to damage mine for a few dollars. But I was tempted, tempted to go
back with even higher prices, higher than the ones he showed me he was paying,
giving him a raise, but I was more concerned about my reputation. Both in off
road and NASCAR. Would a few dollars be worth it over the long run? I finally
decided that a fast nickel didn’t beat a slow dime, and rather have my integrity
than his business. What would you have done? My boss was impressed by my
actions, but also had to explain the loss of potential. Remembering that sales
is number driven, and integrity is not necessarily part of the equation.
Scripture tells us much about money, and those who let it ruin them, but has
much to say about it use. Proverbs 17 asks “what good is money if the person
has no wisdom?” Ecclesiastes tells us the rich never have enough money, and
cannot sleep nights worrying about it. And even Jesus exhorting soldiers to be
content with their pay, and not to squander it away. Yet many refer to the
golden rule, he who has the gold rules. Nothing ever mentioned about doing unto
others.
Yet we look on the poor as less equal than us. Leviticus tells us not to
sow favorability to the rich and the poor. Be fair in all affairs. Job
wondered if he had not grieved the poor enough? And we find in Proverbs that
God finds favor with those that are kind to the poor, and if man shuts out his
ears to the cries of the poor, he too will be left out. And of course we have
the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man going to hell, Lazarus in
heaven. Jesus even tells us the poor will always be among us. So is being rich
a sin? Is poor a sign of grace? If so, how do we explain poor sinners, and
rich saints? Does not the same rain fall on both the godly and the ungodly?
Are not we all equal in God’s eyes?
Maybe a quick look at Jesus will explain better. Jesus gave it all up, he
was rich and became poor for our sakes. That type of poor I will like to always
have around. An angel told Cornelius his gifts to the poor were a living
memorial to God. And Jesus tells us blessed are the poor, for theirs is the
kingdom of God. So it comes down to an attitude of the heart. Can we trust God
like the widow with two mites? God saw way beyond her humble means, and her
needs were met. Zaccheus when confronted with Jesus, vowed to return all he had
taken from the poor, two times, and four times which he had overcharged. When
coming face to face with Jesus, what price do you put on your soul? 7%?
I leave you with a story about a man, Mayor of Oceanside. Jim Woods was a
backer of Torches Across America, and the first year showed up in a suit and
tie, among denim and leather clad bikers. I jokingly told him “we don’t trust
guys in suits, they remind us of lawyers in court, and they are always across
the table from us, not for us.” The next year Jim showed up in a Hawaiian
shirt, and jeans, and when introduced said “look Mike, no suit and tie.” And
immediately was accepted by the crowd. Jim learned, do we? Or are we all about
riches and glory for ourselves? Jesus gave it all, and all we have comes from
God. Keep in mind you can send it ahead, but cannot take it with you. Seek
Jesus first, then all things will be added unto you. But serve God first. Have
his attitude towards the poor. For your answer will be the same when you die as
John D. Rockefeller’s, at the time the richest man on earth. How much did he
leave when he died? Everything. The same as we will. And how much would your
money be worth in heaven if the roads are paved in gold? Not reading and not
understanding are two different things, now you have done both. Find the true
richness of Jesus Christ in your life. Give everyone their due, if taxes, pay
them. If a salary, pay it. If a loan, pay it. But pay honor and respect
first. Show integrity. Why does it always seem the most valuable things have no
earthly value? Love, joy, peace....no cue cards needed.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com