If you polled a group of people and asked, “What is valuable?” I’m sure the responses would vary greatly. To some, worth comes in the form of dollar signs, status symbols and prestige. To others, the word “value” brings to mind family and cherished moments, all the things you cannot buy.
In the compelling story by Stories for Preaching, we explore what is most valuable to a young child.
Read the heart-felt story below.
A businessman who worked very long hours arrived home one evening to find his 7 year old son waiting for him at the door. “Daddy?”
“Yeah?” replied the man.
“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?
“Well son, I don’t really think that’s any business of yours” the man said.
“Please daddy, please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” pleaded the little boy.
“If I tell you, you must promise you won’t tell anybody else”
“I promise” said the little boy.
“Alright then” said his father. “I make $150.00 an hour.”
“Oh,” the little boy replied. He looked a little sad, then said “Daddy, may I borrow $20.00 please?”
His father was furious. “If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is so you can borrow some you can go straight off to bed!”
The little boy burst into tears and made his way to his room. After an hour or so the father had calmed down and went to his son’s room. “I’m sorry for being so hard on you earlier son. If you tell me what you wanted the $20 for and it’s a worthwhile thing I’ll think about giving it to you.”
The little boy ran across the room to his piggy bank and counted out all it’s contents, exactly $130.00.
“$130.00, that’s a lot of money son. Surely that’s enough for what you wanted to buy” said the father.
“Well with the $20 you’ll give me it will be” the little boy replied. “I’d like to buy an hour of your time.”
Sad but true, this story represents an all too common problem. When a family member is an overachiever, he will most likely claim that he is overworking “for the family.” The overachiever tends to ignore that his family needs him in other, more meaningful ways.
Just picturing this little boy as he woefully attempts to buy an hour of his busy father’s time, well, that will bring tears to your eyes.
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