MAN TRADES RED PAPER CLIP FOR DESERT ABODE
Kyle MacDonald harnessed the power of the Internet to trade a red paper clip for something better, over and over again.
Since last July, he’s managed to turn a red paper clip into a year’s free rent on a house in the desert, the Associated Press reports.
"It's totally overwhelming; I'm not going to lie," he said by phone from Montreal, where he and his girlfriend, Dominique Dupuis, live with two roommates. "But I'm still trading for that house. It's this obsessive thing."
MacDonald’s obsession started with an ad he placed in the Craigslist.org barter section, saying he wanted something bigger and better for his red paper clip — just a trade, of course.
From there he was able to trade his paper clip for a fish-shaped pen.
He traded that for a doorknob, which he traded for a camping stove, which he traded for a generator, which he traded for a keg of beer and a neon party sign...
photo courtesy images.google.com & story courtesy foxnews.com 04/18/06
36And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? 37Is anything worth more than your soul?
HOW DO JESUS' WORDS CHALLENGE OUR HUMAN QUEST FOR THE BIGGER AND BETTER IN LIFE?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes provide some insight:
8:36,37 Many people spend all their energy seeking pleasure. Jesus said, however, that worldliness, which is centered on possessions, position, or power, is ultimately worthless. Whatever you have on earth is only temporary; it cannot be exchanged for your soul. If you work hard at getting what you want, you might eventually have a "pleasurable" life, but in the end you will find it hollow and empty. Are you willing to make the pursuit of God more important than the selfish pursuits? Follow Jesus, and you will know what it means to live abundantly now and to have eternal life as well.
Imagine the impact that followers of Christ could have on this world, if we pursued Kingdom values as much as the "red paper clip guy" is pursuing something bigger or better in this earthly life.
- Memorize today's scripture as a reminder of how to focus on what's really important in life.
- Write down a list of changes that Jesus may want you to make that truly reflect eternal values rather than earthly ones.
- For the next few weeks, use a red paper clip in your school books, organizer, checkbook, Bible.....you'll remember what's important.
- Use this Devo as a discussion starter in your youth group or small group.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.