Opportunity Cost

In our GroupMe, Evan shared a fun penny data analysis project. I loved it! I especially liked the gradient that naturally occurs due to aging copper. I've seen artwork people have created with pennies by taking advantage of that gradient.

In jest, Harry ribbed Evan!

You know Evan, you should be using all this free time to work on your EMAW and your quiet times.

An important lesson is hiding in plain sight here--a gem of foundational life-long wisdom that will serve you well when applied...

Opportunity Cost

Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative that is given up when a decision is made. It's a way to measure the relationship between scarcity and choice, and it takes into account all costs associated with a decision, both explicit and implicit.

That is, you have time to do most anything you want, but you do not have time to do everything you want. Therefore you choose, and when you choose "yes" to a thing, you are choosing "no" to lots of other things.

I'm not suggesting we can't have fun! We don't need to beat ourselves with guilt for playing a video game instead of reading our Bible. However, if you look back at your week and add up your time investment, and it looks like this:

• Video games: 6 hours
• Scrolling through social media: 4 hours
• Reading the Word and praying: 5 minutes

Well...at least be honest about it. Don't say, "I didn't have time for my Quiet Times this week." Speak the truth: "I chose to spend the time I had on other things." Consider the opportunity cost and the short-term as well as long-term ROI of that time investment.