The Author’s Thoughts on The Oil Baron
“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?” Matthew 16:26 ESV (emphasis added)
Truth versus lies – that’s the world we live in today. Rooted in selfishness, we’ll do or say just about anything to win. We have to be ‘right’ or win – our world hates losers. Enter the convenient truth.
“The Oil Baron” is the story of a kid who always told the truth - until he didn’t. Tyler Raines made a mistake – he kicked the ball in front of Mrs. Haney, causing her to wreck her new car. Unlike the other little urchins with whom he was playing, he admitted his mistake. To Mrs. Haney, to his mom, to Mr. Haney, and even to Connor Stansbury. No lying here. Tyler admitted his mistake, and look what it got him. Connor Stansbury, a man who walked in the truth, was so impressed with Tyler that repeatedly he made him offers he couldn’t refuse: a part-time job; new employment for his mama; a new home; a college education; a share of his business. Even as a young boy, honesty and truth literally set him up for life.
Yet way back in the cockles of his mind, Tyler Raines wanted to be ‘somebody.’ On the ball diamond, he wanted to be a lot more than just some crippled kid who never got picked when sides were chosen. The valedictorian of his high school class. A 4.0 student in petroleum engineering. Rich. As his story goes, “He’d never forgotten his roots: a past littered with bullies and punks who wouldn’t let him in their games, who’d teased him relentlessly about his club foot. He’d finally show them.” (excerpt from The Oil Baron)
Tyler Raines bought the lie. In pursuit of himself, he hurt a lot of people.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” It would have been difficult to have been wealthier than Tyler Raines. EGO’s stock opened on The New York Stock Exchange and suddenly, he was filthy rich. He’d won life’s game. SO WHAT? His family hated him. He had no real friends. Connor Stansbury had taken his portion of the spoils, and done something good with his money, but was long gone when Tyler finally cashed in his chips. Can you fly in more than one jet at a time – he had three. Can you live in more than one house at a time – he had seven. Ski resorts, a yacht, billions … SO WHAT? Tyler Raines had forfeited his soul!
And then one day, out of the blue, he got a telephone call. After the dust settled Tyler Raines discovered he had a granddaughter who needed something no one else could give her – a kidney. Looking way beyond himself, suddenly he was a ‘somebody.’ “I’ve spent my whole life chasing the almighty dollar,” he lamented. “Maybe all along I should have been chasing the Almighty, for it is He who gives the gift of life.”
Good decision Tyler! Through this sordid journey you call life, you’ve given life to another in return for your soul, and finally found Greatness in the process!
Next Week: Banished, the intriguing story of a girl who’s lost her way, only to find the Right way!
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