"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or wh

There was a man in Chicago called Easy Eddie. At the time Al Capone virtually owned the city. Capone was notorious for involving the city of Chicago in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to gambling and murder. Easy Eddie was Capone's lawyer and for a good reason. He was very good. In fact, his skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him well. Not only was the money good; Eddie got special perks. He and his family occupied a fenced in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Yes, Easy Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little thought to the violence and lawlessness that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had the best of everything: clothes, cars, and a good education. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. He wanted him to be a better man than he was. Yet, there were two things that Eddie couldn't give his son. Two things that Eddie sacrificed to the Capone mob, that he could not pass on to his beloved son, a good name and a good example.

One day Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. He would go to the authorities and testify against Al Capone and the Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. But more than anything he wanted to be an example to his son. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street. He had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer at the greatest price he would ever pay.

“What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Matthew 16:26