Accounting for S$28K

13th November 2005, Singapore - The Editor of The NewsStan(d) parted with twenty-eight thousand dollars after deciding he'd satisfy one of his greatest pleasures in life. After succumbing himself to just under three hours of hard-sell tactics, he finally gave in; swiped his credit card and walked away looking pleased with what he'd signed up for. It wasn't a gold-laced cheesecake, nor was it the latest wheels he'd been eyeing. But a travel membership that would allow him luxurious hotel stays at discounted rates. He said when leaving the travel concept agency, "The deal was incredible. It was almost an obvious choice which you'd pick and I would have come out looking really silly if I decided I'd pass on the savings. They convinced me how pointless it was to pay marked-up rates by going through travel agents."

The above never quite happened actually, though it could have last Wednesday. It was a scenario that the marketeers would have wanted but their hard-driving tactics didn't work. Despite having my dinner delayed by some 3 hours, there was to be no yielding to the call to fulfill my desires to travel far, wide and CHEAP. I never knew CHEAP was spelt "T-W-E-N-T-Y E-I-G-H-T T-H-O-U-S-A-N-D D-O-L-L-A-R-S".

It all started when I'd received a call from a telemarketeer who knew my full name, mobile number and i/c number. First thing she did was to entice me to go for a travel preview. The bait - free accommodation at the Gold Coast plus an MP3 player. I knew it was slightly dubious and I knew I was putting myself in a vulnerable spot of pressure buying if I went for it. But I wanted to go for 2 reasons. Primarily to see what the hullabaloo was about and experience it firsthand. And secondly, with this insight, it would allow me to relate to the kind of pressure that's loaded on an unsuspecting patron.

The presentation looked like it'd never end. Our agent just went on and on. It was as if they wouldn't let you go until you took out your credit card. The manager who came over was even more intimidating. The marketeers were masters at making you sound stupid and your answers inconsistent when you tried to reason with them why you weren't committing to the membership.

Thank God for Dorcas who under the darting eyes of our agent, gently reminded me about the purpose of life in a Christian perspective. She asked what I'd say if God asked for some accountability. Would I have been a good steward of 28K had I blown in on the extravagant travel membership?

Even if I wanted to travel, I could and with far less moolah. The mission field's there and I could fly far and stay long to sow and plough should God call. Wouldn't heeding God's call be more fulfilling that taking luxurious holidays ever so often?