If it were possible for eyeballs to literally pop out of their sockets, it would have happened at the Frankfurt auto show recently. At such an event there are many impressive automobiles on display, but whatever the value and however impressive any might have been in styling, all but one faded into the background.
The CEO of Lamborghini may have popped the buttons off his vest at this year's event. Some words spoken by Stephen Winkelman regarding the debut of his company's latest offering were these: "Uncompromising...a true automotive superlative."
That may have been an understatement as attendees at the show viewed a creation which was named, Reventon. There is supposed to be a little accent mark above the "o" in the name. And about that name -- seems the car was given the same name as that of a bull which killed the very well known #1 professional bull fighter, Felix Guzman, back in 1943!
Reventon looks almost like a jet fighter minus the wings! It is powered by a 12-cylinder engine which cranks out 650 horsepower and makes possible reaching 62 mph in 3.4 seconds with an 8,000 rpm red line!
One would think you would tear off all the tread on the rear tires when you are moving up to that 62 mph in those 3.4 seconds, but actually you have tread strain on all 4 tires while this little drama is played out. The car has what is called a "robotized gearbox" which transmits the power to all 4 wheels.
Anxious to get one so you can say that for once you not only kept up with the Jones family next door, but you passed them up and left them in the dust many miles back?
Better scramble and get in line because a limited number of these vehicles will be built and available for sale in 2008 -- only 20 will be built! The price? Oh, I guess we forgot to mention that at the beginning. Well, it will be about 1.4 million U.S. dollars plus tax! And then you might have to scramble a bit to find someone to insure this machine.
It is practically guaranteed that there will be 20 persons of great wealth who will order up -- there is no lack of persons in this world who like to display their wealth in different ways, whether the buying of a few mansions here and there, getting a few luxury automobiles, tailor made clothes, or if you are a wealthy presidential candidate and want every strand of your hair to be in proper place in order to impress the public, you lay out $400 for a haircut!
It is a fact -- very, very few people in this world can handle wealth and power responsibly -- in the vast majority of cases it's an ego thing sending out images which say, "Look at me and all my money and what I have bought for myself!"
God has addressed this problem repeatedly in His revelation (Holy Bible) to us. Because of the prominence of selfishness and greed in every generation the things God has to say are not flattering to say the least.
Never forget -- whatever amount of material goods God has allowed us to gain in this lifetime, it is extremely critical that we constantly converse with Him about how we should use those material goods (including money) in the interest of expanding His Kingdom in this chaotic world. Evidence is overwhelming that too few at all economic levels are willing to do this. Instead the prevailing attitude is -- "It's my money -- I worked hard for it and I will do with it as I (expletive deleted) well please!"
What percentage of your material goods is being used to honor the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and advance His Kingdom?
For a related discussion on this issue, see "Reminders When Mansion Shopping!" As an aside, one man wrote me a very irate email -- he thought from the title that he would get some advice on buying a mansion, especially how to save on taxes, etc! Actually there is something there far better than that -- he just had a vision problem -- he couldn't see far enough into the future! How far can you see?
Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him; for the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever; that he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit. For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Their inner thought is that their houses will continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish. This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah. Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah. Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), he shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. --- Psalm 49:6-19
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