Another MVP for A-Rod

He is simply known as the greatest living player in baseball. And this year, due to his league-leading 54 homers, 156 RBIs and 143 runs, he won his third Most Valuable Player award. He is, of course, Alex Rodriguez – the player many New York Yankee fans either love or hate, depending on his performance on any given day.

After opting out of his already staggering contract with the Yankees, A-Rod recently came crawling back for more. Apparently the new $275 million dollar deal, factoring out to about $166,000 per regular season game, was ‘respectable’ enough to again sign on the dotted line. But despite the cash, and the assumption that he will now break Barry Bonds new home run record while in pin stripes, the star third basemen is not yet content. Recently he stated, "There's definitely a huge hole in the resume. And I mean, it's my third MVP and I'm here to say that I would trade all three for one world championship. I wouldn't think twice about it.

"Few would any longer argue that the money being paid to most of today’s professional athletes has crossed over from the amazing to the obscene. When compared to careers that better society - or even protect it - for relatively modest incomes, something is badly out of balance. But if the money and skills are there, who can blame today’s superstars from reaching out and hauling it in?

In Matthew 19, a man of affluence came to Jesus with the question of questions. In verse 16 he asked of the Lord, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"But after confidently defending his outwardly upright lifestyle, Jesus hit him with an unexpected answer in verse 21. "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." The unhappy ending to their brief encounter comes in that very next verse. “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Riches, in and of themselves, are not evil, although the Bible does forcefully warn of their deadly influence and potential dangers in 1 Timothy 6:10. Also, some of God’s choice servants in Scripture were well off, materially speaking. The real issue, however, is one of simple priorities and whether or not earthy assets are used for heavenly pursuits and for assisting others less fortunate.

In Mark‘s gospel, chapter 8, another probing question is put forth, this time from the lips of Christ. Its answer must be seriously considered by all, and particularly by those who have been blessed with an excess of worldly goods. Verse 36 asks, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

Simply stated, whether one is rich, poor, or somewhere in the middle, God declares in Matthew 6:33 His basic expectation for each of us. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

But is this really true? Does this really work? If we don’t really know, perhaps it’s only because we have never really tried it.

Bill Breckenridge