THE BELIEVER’S OPPORTUNITY COST

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BELIEVER’S OPPORTUNITY COST

Devotional Text: HEBREW 11:24-27

Introduction:

Opportunity cost is the economist’s term in expressing costs in terms of foregone alternative. In the words of Ewa Udu, at el (1980:2), the concept of opportunity cost emphasizes the problem of choice by measuring the cost of obtaining a quantity of one commodity in terms of the quantities of other commodities or services that could be obtained instead. Similarly, the advent of faith reveals that Moses was confronted with such a problem as to whether to choose the pleasures of sin in Egypt, instead of the reproach of Christ. Notably, the choice of Moses favoured the reproach of Christ against the pleasures of sin. Based on the foregoing, one can assert or establish that the opportunity costs of the reproach of Christ, which leads to divine promises are the pleasures of sin which one foregoes or rejects.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     To win the favour of Christ, one must discard the pleasures of sin, (vs. 25).

(2)     The reproach of Christ is richer than the riches of the world, (vs. 26).

(3)     Suffering affliction for the sake of Christ is of eternal value, (vs. 25).  

(1)    The reproach of Christ carries a recompense of reward, (vs. 26).

GIVING UP THE ILLEGITAME FAMILY, (VERSE 24)

                        The fundamental turning point in the life of Moses was the relinquishing of the Egyptian family status. Moses was not the biological son of Pharaoh’s daughter, but one picked up from the Nile. He was not an Egyptian by birth, but an Israelite. He was not officially adopted, but was secretly imposed on Pharaoh’s family. Therefore, his Egyptian family status had no legitimacy. Typological, Pharaoh’s daughter is anything that tries to link us up with the world instead of Christ. In the light of the above, giving up the illegitimate family would mean:

(i)                   breaking ties with unbelievers,

(ii)                 giving up idols and

(iii)                separating oneself from every defilement, (see 11 Cor. 6:14-18). 

Citing once again, the principle of opportunity costs, it is obvious that the real cost of anything is the opportunity missed in buying or getting its alternative. Similarly, the opportunity cost for becoming a member of God’s family is the giving up of the alternatives listed above.

RE-DISCOVERING A VALUE SYSTEM, (VERSE 25).

                        Simply put, value-system are those human principles and beliefs which make one thinks that something is important and should be cherished. Originally, Israel’s value-system was theo-centric (God-centered). But, by the reason of their long stay in Egypt, a shift in value-system became noticeable. Therefore, Moses’ choice of mistreatment with the people of God against the pleasures of sin remains a pointer that God is to be cherished above every other thing. Based on the foregoing, the Christian value-system should reflect:

(i)                   Love for God, (Deu. 6:5).

(ii)                 Love for all the Saints, (Eph. 1:15-16; 1Pt. 2:17).

(iii)                Love for neighbours and enemies, (Matt. 19:19, Matt. 5:43-15).

Having cited what the Christian value-system should reflect, it is important to remind ourselves that the opportunity cost for love for God, Saints, neighbours and enemies are the foregone alternative, that is, the giving up of the love of the world and its system, (See 1 John 2:15-17).