As I was riding my bike one morning, I was reflecting upon the Gospels to which I had been listening for the past several days.  In particular, I was thinking about how some parts of the Gospels, like the Sermon on the Mount, really emphasize Jesus as the way of living on the Earth.  Other parts of the Gospels, like some verses from John, portray Jesus as the ticket to paradise.  As I was thinking about these things, a parable came to my mind.  I thought that it might be worth sharing.

A popular professor of business administration taught his students about ethical and socially responsible business practices, as well as unethical and socially irresponsible business practices.  He urged his students to commit themselves to the ethical and socially responsible practices, though they are much less lucrative.  Some students followed his advice and other students did not follow his advice.

The business professor’s family owned an enormous and magnificent charter sailboat that sailed some of the most beautiful waters. Each year, upon graduation, the business professor told his students that they could ride the sailboat anytime once for free.  All they had to do was give the business professor’s name.  The business professor cautioned them that seating was limited, and it is often better to wait many years before reserving a seat.

One of the business professor’s former students had reserved a spot, after 5 years.  Like so many of his students, this particular student had intended to follow ethical and socially responsible business practices, but the allure of significant wealth was too great and he put his whole heart into the other kind of practices.  When this former student arrived at the sailboat before its launch, he gave the name of the professor, and he was allowed to board without any questions.  The former student was surprised with his accommodations, though.  He was escorted to a lower deck, where for windows there were just a few small port holes with scratched up glass.

The former student learned that the professor was aboard, and so he asked for him. The professor greeted the former student with a smile.  “So you made it.”

“Yes,” said the student, “but as one of your students, I had expected to have access to better viewing.” 

The professor looked at the student to see if there was anything else behind the disappointment. “Just as business managers have many options before them in their business practices, this boat has many options for its passengers. I promised you a ride, and you got that ride. I didn’t promise you a particular deck or a particular view. The folks that ride with me on the upper deck are those whose company I want to keep — those who have listened to me — those who have been consistently ethical and socially responsible in their business practices.”

The student then asked, “Can I buy some time on the upper deck, even just five minutes?”

“No, but I will allow you to leave.  We are about to make port.”

To this, the student agreed, and he left the magnificent sailboat bitterly dejected, never to return.