$100,000! Really?

Thus was my reaction when I heard that this was the breathtaking reward offered for the winner of the Shelby Kennedy Foundation’s world-class National Bible Bee Competition. What would you do with $100,000? I was unprepared for the overwhelming avariciousness which began to envelop me as I pondered this question and the materiality of the prospect began to sink in. With it came an irresistible, but strangely unfamiliar, craving to attain the prize. Suddenly I was willing to sacrifice my time, effort, and plans to do whatever it would take to prepare for the contest and get that $100,000!Wisdom or money - Which do you value more?

Then God’s Spirit convicted me. “Wisdom is better than rubies.” How quickly had my priorities shifted out of balance! If I truly value wisdom more than money, I will have an even greater driving passion for digging into the Scriptures than I have for winning any monetary award.

We still did not hesitate to enroll, but it was with a whole new understanding of Proverbs 8:11 and 16:16. In fact, it does not greatly concern me whether I win or not. There is no way to lose! Studying God’s Word and getting to know Him on a deeper personal level will yield a lifetime of rewards and benefits far more valuable and precious than any amount of money!

There are only a couple more weeks to sign up. Click here to learn more and join the competition now!

11 Comments

  1. Robert April 14, 2009 at 8:52 pm #

    Excellent perspective, Daniel! Wisdom is “more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her” (Proverbs 3:15).

  2. Donald April 14, 2009 at 10:49 pm #

    Yes, well-said Daniel.

  3. Dad and Mom April 15, 2009 at 6:24 pm #

    One reward that we have already begun to experience as a family is extra attentiveness to detail as we read the Bible, so that we will be prepared to answer the study questions. It is a delight to search the scriptures with you Daniel.

  4. Esther April 15, 2009 at 8:44 pm #

    May the Lord richly reward your study Daniel!

  5. Michael April 18, 2009 at 5:34 pm #

    That was a very wise response, freeing you from a lot of stress that could have ended up doing you more harm than the money could make up for.

  6. Crystal April 19, 2009 at 12:31 pm #

    The *real* treasure is the Scripture you retain in your heart for it will be with you the rest of your life.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. StaddonFamily.com » Blog Archive » The Next Step - August 7, 2009

    […] most immediate next step I see ahead for me is preparing for this year’s National Bible Bee Competition. Also on the horizon may be serving at the IBLP Headquarters in the Finance Department […]

  2. StaddonFamily.com » Blog Archive » Daniel at the Bible Bee! - November 5, 2009

    […] Since April, Daniel has been studying hard for the National Bible Bee. This weekend he is one of 100 finalists in his age group from around the nation who are gathering in Washington DC for the grand finale. Please be praying for him and be sure to check out his contestant details page on biblebee.org! […]

  3. StaddonFamily.com » Blog Archive » Daniel wins 1st place in the National Bible Bee! - November 6, 2009

    […] Daniel first decided to enroll in the Bible Bee back in April, he wrote, “It does not greatly concern me whether I win or not. There is no […]

  4. Living the Journey » “My Biggest Challenge” - November 18, 2009

    […] prize was pretty incredible, it really only underscored the inestimable value of God’s Word. Daniel wrote, “Studying God’s Word and getting to know Him on a deeper personal level will yield a […]

  5. StaddonFamily.com » Blog Archive » Coming Soon: “The $100,000 Word”! - July 5, 2010

    […] Bee competition did not think so. One of them, Daniel Staddon, decided it would be worth the effort regardless of the prize, and embarked on a mission to hide God’s Word in his heart. In this book, he shares the […]

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