Happy Father’s Day to all the dads reading this! The U.S. Open is taking place this weekend at The Country Club near Boston and as the golf world watches to see who will win this Major, there's an overshadowing storyline stealing attention. The new LIV Golf series has poached several well-known golfers such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, and Sergio Garcia. These golfers will still participate in the Majors they qualify for, but they're no longer a member of the PGA Tour as a result of joining LIV Golf. There's been plenty of outcry and controversy surrounding LIV Golf because they're financed by the Public Invest Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. People believe LIV Golf is sportswashing and leveraging sports to cover up the country’s reputation for human rights violations and murder. Many members of the golf community are outraged at the players' willingness to be involved in a golf tour that has these types of leaders behind it. They also feel betrayed and disappointed with how the players left the PGA Tour for what appears to be a blatant money grab. These golfers who joined LIV Golf put their reputation on the line and risked losing sponsors and fans, while allowing their character to be questioned, all for the opportunity to make big guaranteed money on an upstart tour. They ultimately decided that it was worth it to them. Longtime broadcaster, Bob Costas, was recently on TV sharing his opinions on the situation and said, “There are no two ways around it, it’s blood money.” He added, “Guaranteed money. $200 million for Phil Mickelson even if he never wins a tournament. The prize money’s on top of that. $115 million, as I understand it, for Dustin Johnson. But what’s the price for your soul? What’s the price for integrity?” As sports fans, we can listen to all the different opinions and read about the facts, and make our own decision about how we feel about LIV Golf and the players who join, but the questions that Costas raises are worthwhile ones for us to consider in our own lives. We, too, have questionable opportunities that get presented to us and choices that have to be made along our journeys in life. Oftentimes, the option in front of us would involve making more money, making the wrong sacrifices, taking unnecessary risks, putting our reputation on the line, and placing ourselves in situations that could lead people to question our character. So what do we do? Do we choose integrity? Do we obey God? Do we remain loyal? Do we pass on good opportunities to do the right thing? Costas asked, “What’s the price for your soul? What’s the price for integrity?” And, Jesus puts it this way in Matthew 16:26 (ESV): “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” The New Living Translation says, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Gaining wealth, fame, and success at the expense of our souls isn’t worth it. It’s not beneficial to trade our character, integrity, and name, chasing after the things of this world. Psalm 37:16-17 (AMP) tells us, “Better is the little of the righteous Than the abundance (riches) of many wicked (godless). For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But the Lord upholds and sustains the righteous .” Proverbs 22:1 (AMP) reminds us, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; And favor is better than silver and gold.” Today, let’s choose to follow Jesus on the path of integrity knowing He's the One who saves our souls. Nothing is worth more than a soul that is at peace in Him. Let’s end with this prayer from Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (AMP): “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through ; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you , and He will do it .” I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for saving my soul. I pray You would help me make wise decisions and choose integrity. Please show me what’s best and help me not to get caught up in the allure of more money or success at the expense of my character. I desire to obey You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What was one of the toughest decisions you had to make where your integrity was on the line?
In what ways have you learned from previous choices that were more money or success-driven vs. obeying God and going His way?
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