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The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, published in 1987, contains many thought-provoking questions that are fun to ask and answer. Here is an excerpt from the introduction:

There are no correct or incorrect answers to these questions, only honest or dishonest ones. Can you know what you would do in a strange hypothetical situation? Of course you can't, but why let that inhibit you? This is a chance to gain insights without actually living through the predicaments described. Let your self be swept into these situations so that you care about the choices you make. Resist the temptation to escape from a question by denying its reality or by coming up with some complication that obscures the basic issue. Accept that conditions are as described, the odds are accurate, that promises will be fulfilled, and furthermore, that you know this when you are making your decisions. ... If you feel a question lacks detail or is unclear, make an assumption that will correct the problem.

For each of these questions, I'm going to create a scenario for my own use. Feel free to create your own, if you don't like mine. As much as possible, keep your scenario spiritually neutral. Assume that you've already prayed to God and consulted with the pastor, and received no clear direction. The choice is totally up to you.

Would you rather be given fifty thousand dollars for your own use, or a five hundred thousand dollars to give anonymously to strangers? What if you could keep five million or give away a hundred million?

Here's my scenario: My granddad just died, and the estate includes five hundred thousand dollars, after taxes. According to the will, if I can come up with a disbursement plan that doesn't name myself or anyone I know as a recipient, the entire inheritance will be distributed according to my plan. Otherwise, I get a check for fifty thousand and the rest will be turned over to the government.

Most people said that they'd rather give away the larger sum, citing the following scriptures for support:

Acts 20:35
  1. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Ecclesiastes 11:1
  1. Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Luke 16:12
  1. And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
Matthew 10:8
  1. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
  1. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
  2. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
  3. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Others said they'd rather receive the smaller sum, so they could give to those they know and trust;

Galatians 6:10
  1. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
1 John 3:17
  1. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
2 John 1:10-11
  1. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
  2. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

An eccentric millionaire offers to donate ten million dollars to charity if you will step -- completely naked -- from a car onto a busy downtown street, walk four blocks, and climb back into the car. Knowing that there would be no danger of physical abuse, would you do it?

I envision a publicity stunt designed to highlight a popular political or societal cause. Although I don't have any personal feelings either for or against the issue, most people would consider my participation to be good and praiseworthy. The event is being conducted with the full cooperation and consent of city authorities. There's a large turnout with crowds of people kept back from the sidewalk by police. The press is on hand with cameras and microphones to broadcast and record the event. Of course, the recipient charity is my church, and the money would be enough to purchase land and build a much needed new sanctuary, debt-free.

Nearly everyone answered that they would not perform the stunt, citing these scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 5:22
  1. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
James 4:17
  1. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Exodus 20:26
  1. Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
Exodus 28:42
  1. And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
Exodus 32:25
  1. And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)
1 Corinthians 3:16
  1. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1 Corinthians 10:23
  1. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

For balance, I pointed out that none of the laws concerning nakedness (from Leviticus 18), forbid nakedness in general; each one forbids to "uncover the nakedness of" someone else. Also, did not the prophet walk naked for three years, by the commandment of God?

Isaiah 20:2-3
  1. At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
  2. And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;

Perhaps the clearest scripture on the subject comes from the very beginning:

Genesis 3:8-11
  1. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
  2. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
  3. And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
  4. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

After eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness. So then is nakedness good, or is it evil?

Would you rather be extremely successful professionally and have a tolerable yet unexciting private life, or have an extremely happy private life and only a tolerable and uninspiring professional life?

This is a basic choice that we all make from time to time, in incremental steps. Every time you go up for advancement, especially at the E-7 level or above, you are trading a piece of your private life for professional success. So on the one extreme we have someone who is a Chief Executive Officer, or the Command Master Chief, or the Commanding Officer, with an exciting and rewarding career but no time for a "life" outside of work. And on the other hand we have somebody who works at the McDonald's on base, but has an exciting and rewarding ministry on their off-hours.

Several people pointed out that either choice would be acceptable; both masters and servants are equally subject to God:

Colossians 3:22-23
  1. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
  2. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 4:1
  1. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Some would choose the higher social position for the sake of greater influence over other people, citing this scripture:

Matthew 5:14-16
  1. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
  2. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  3. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

It's worth noting that Paul gave up a good deal of freedom for the opportunity to minister to those in high social position:

Acts 25:10-12
  1. Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
  2. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
  3. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
Acts 26:27-32
  1. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
  2. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
  3. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
  4. And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
  5. And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
  6. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

On the other hand, with riches and social prestige come many temptations.

Matthew 19:23
  1. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 8:36
  1. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Perhaps the best tactic is to make sure you are qualified and eligible for advancement, then leave the matter in God's hands.

Psalms 75:6-7
  1. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
  2. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

For a person you loved deeply, would you be willing to move to a distant country, knowing there would be little chance of seeing your friends or family again?

Here's the best scenario I could come up with: I fell deeply in love with the perfect woman. She's godly, faithful, beautiful, and intelligent. We decided to spend our honeymoon doing volunteer work in a third-world country. During our stay, my wife was arrested and convicted on false charges. My travel visa is only good for a few more days; the only way to stay longer is to become a permanent resident and renounce my U.S. citizenship.

Most agreed that they'd be willing to leave friends and family for the one they love:

Genesis 2:24
  1. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
John 13:35
  1. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The entire book of Ruth is about a woman who left friends and family behind to follow the one she loved.

Would you accept five million dollars to leave the country and never set foot in it again?

Most agreed that as long as it was within the will of God, they'd take the money and run. Others said they'd prefer the greater freedom we enjoy in this country.

1 Corinthians 7:21
  1. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

One person answered "no" to the previous question, because his family is too important for him to leave them forever. But on this question he said,

Sure, I'd take five million to leave the country and never come back.

"What?" I asked, "You would leave friends and family for money, but you wouldn't do it for love?"

For that kind of money, I could take my friends and family with me.

If your friends and acquaintances were willing to bluntly and honestly tell you what they really thought of you, would you want them to?

Responses were about equally divided. One said, "Yes, if only to better know my testimony and how I can work to make it better."

Proverbs 27:6
  1. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Luke 6:26
  1. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
James 5:16
  1. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Others argued that even honest opinions can be hurtful and unedifying. Did Job really want to hear the opinions of his three friends, as they repeatedly accused him before God?

Hebrews 10:24
  1. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
1 Samuel 16:7
  1. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
1 Corinthians 2:11
  1. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Closing

There were many more questions and answers, but not enough time to cover them all. As we all learned, questions like these can make for lively and thought-provoking discussion. Consider adding them to your spiritual toolbox, ready for use the next time you meet someone and want to strike up a conversation.