How do you get to work? Walk, ride a bike, drive a truck, or take your F/A-18A Hornet jet fighter? Back in 2004, on eBay®, a US Navy Blue Angel jet sold for $32,000,300. Back in 1997, the Hornet cost the first owner — the taxpayer — $28,000,000.

(A salesman:) “This cream puff has 3793 airframe hours. She rocks out at 1400 miles per hour, and climbs 30,000 feet a minute. She came with two zero-hour GE engines and one spare-part engine. She has bomb racks, drop tanks and pylons. Avoid traffic. Commute anywhere. Come in today to see for yourself!”

The eBay® seller actually said, “We’ll paint it any color you like. Assembly is required. We’ll re-assemble it before delivery, for a fee.”

The FBI expressed interest in the eBay® bidding process. How it arrived in private hands was a mystery. Used military aircraft are demilitarized — ejection seats and military insignia are removed, and then it’s off to the bone yard. The Navy reported jets might occasionally be sold to third parties on a case-by-case basis. 

It may be very flashy to fly your own Hornet — but $32,000,300 — for a toy? Really? Okay, I’m jealous of not having $32,000,000 of expendable income. What would one do with $32,000,000? Employ a thousand people? Invest? Buy a country? Find a cure for malaria? Give ten percent to charity? Or buy one toy?

Let’s Pray: Righteous God, we thank You for the billionaires and millionaires who use their fortunes to benefit Your people. We pray for all with great means to do the same. Amen.

Today’s Thought Is: With prosperity comes responsibility .