Inside one of the seedy Mos Eisley cantinas, Obi-Wan is negotiating with Han for passage from Tatooine to Alderaan while avoiding “any Imperial entanglements.” Han replies, “Well, that’s the trick, isn’t it? And it’s going to cost you something extra. Ten thousand in advance.”
This price outrages Luke, who believes they could buy their own ship and he could pilot it. Obi-Wan calms the situation down and offers “2,000 now plus 15 when we reach Alderaan.”
To pay for their passage, Luke must sell his speeder.
While making an honest living is commended in Scripture, we also know that taking advantage of someone is condemned by Scripture. Leviticus 25:17 (NIV) says, “Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the Lord your God.”
To avoid the Empire did require more skill and expertise, which might have made the price Han quoted seem reasonable, but his conversation with Chewie afterward shows that his price was high to cover his debt to Jabba.
There is tension among believers today about what is and is not acceptable when it comes to making money.
Some believe a business should not make a profit, while others believe a business should make as much as possible.
Neither extreme is justifiable. If a company cannot make a reasonable profit, they are unable to pay their employees while at the same time investing in the company’s future.
On the other hand, trying to squeeze every penny of profit out of customers will lead to customers rebelling. By taking their business elsewhere, the company will eventually have to lay off staff because of a decline in revenue brought about by greed.
There is a balance that is unique to each business and each believer. Someone may see your poverty as plenty.
