Would you rather have $20 given to you, or a $50 lotto scratch ticket? One is certain, the other costs more, but which has more value? This was discussed today, and despite being extremely risk adverse, while most would assume I would quickly take the $20 offered to me, I would actually take the scratch ticket. My rationale is, $20 is nice but doesn’t change my life meaningfully, whereas the $50 ticket has the chance to win up to $3 million. I’m willing to give up the $20 that was never mine to begin with, for the hope and dream of something far more.
I think about this and realize there is a spiritual lesson here. God freely offers the gift of salvation to us, but how often do I get distracted by worldly dreams and aspirations, that I put little value in the gift I am given. How often do I choose to ignore the sure gift, and pursue the certain disappointment?
For science, I decide to implement this question in a distorted fashion. I can either do nothing, and save my money, or I can find cash lying around my room, walk to the corner cash station, and foolishly hand $50 to the cashier. This is an expensive experience – do people actually do this on a regular basis? I do some research upfront and find that the $50 tickets pay out 80% of their value. My odds are 1 in 2.70 that I either make money or breakeven. I’ve made riskier decisions before. (For reference the $1 tickets only pay out 60%).
So I find some cash sitting on my shelf, combine it with what I have in my wallet, and walk into the store, and purchase the ticket. I don’t buy lotto tickets, so I’m not even sure what to do. I try reading the back for instructions, but it doesn’t say much. I figure I just start scratching, but I take my time to insure I don’t scratch too much and void a $50 ticket. Finally, I step outside and compose myself. I’m leaning against the side of the building, wearing a hoodie, focused intently on this ticket. People walk by and look at me, perhaps innocently, but I feel judgement from their eyes. They know I’m wasting my money, but I’m already dreaming about what I’ll do with the $3 million I’m about to win. I scratch the first section – nothing. I scratch the second section – still nothing. But that makes sense right? It’s a game. It’ll probably be the last row. That would be the most exciting outcome, that’s what makes a great story. I scratch off the last section – $2,000!! I’ve more than quadrupled my money! Only issue, my number didn’t match.
It’s amazing how quickly quilt and disappointment set in. I didn’t expect to win anything, but I had hoped I’d at least breakeven and get back my $50. I mean the odds were in my favor! Sure, long term I am bound to lose, but a value of eighty cents on every dollar isn’t terrible. Part of me regretted the decision to buy the ticket. I threw away $50 I could have used on a nice dinner. I could have donated it to charity, or treated a coworker to lunch. I felt upset; at the outcome, and at myself. I knew this would be the eventual result, yet I justified the decision in my mind. I’m special; the other tickets won’t win, but mine will be the winner. Imagine how great it will be to prove to everyone that buying the ticket was the correct decision. I’ll feel smart, and will have something to boast about. It’s ironic how quickly and easily we lie to ourselves.
A few minutes later, upon further reflection, I realized, it was a lesson. Be mindful of what you put your hope in. Hope can be an amazing, but equally devastating emotion. Hope in the wrong thing can destroy you when it fails. Security found in your job, your relationships, even church, can and will lead to moments of disappointment, some far more fatal than others. Christ is the one true hope we have, that will never fail or disappoint. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19. How often do I view Christ as “just” $20. As something that is nice, but not life changing. Wasting $50 wasn’t fun, but all things considered, it’s a relatively cheap reminder of what I put my focus. Part of me wonders if I go back and buy a second or third ticket, if those will be the winners. Afterall, 1 in 2.70 win! But I think I’ll cut my loses here, and focus my time and attention elsewhere.
