An old southern country preacher from Georgia had a teenage son named David, and it was getting time the boy should give some thought to choosing a profession. Like many young men, the boy didn’t really know what he wanted to do, and didn’t seem too concerned about it.

One day, while the boy was away at school, his father decided to try an experiment. He went into the boy’s room and placed on his study table four objects:

a Bible, a silver dollar, a bottle of whiskey and a Playboy magazine.

“I’ll just hide behind the door”, the old preacher said to himself, “and> when he comes home from school this afternoon, I’ll see which object he picks up. If it’s the Bible, he’s going to be a preacher like me, and what a blessing that would be! If he picks up the dollar, he’s going to be a businessman, and that would be OK If he picks up the bottle, he’s going to be a no-good drunkard, and, Lord, what a shame that would be. Worst of all, if he picks up that magazine he’s going to be a skirt-chasin’ bum”.

The old man waited anxiously, and soon heard his son’s footsteps as he entered the house, whistling and heading for his room. The boy tossed his books on the bed, and as he turned to leave the room he spotted the objects on the table. With curiosity in his eye, he walked over to inspect them. Finally, he picked up the Bible and placed it under his arm. He picked up the silver dollar and dropped it into his pocket. He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink while he admired this month’s centerfold…

“Lord Have Mercy” the old preacher whispered, “He’s gonna join the ARMY!”