Of the three who refused the Nobel Prizes, I admire only Le Duc Tho, who truly claimed that he deserved it not. While Pasternak's reason was some might say, cowardice, I would say lack of conviction. Last but not least, Sartre's "excuse" is a strange one because it would appear that he knew the problem with worldly desires but he also seemed to exhibit despisal upon the institution.
I would say, one should know how to use this occasion to honor God. But then if you don't accept the prize or give the prize away to someone who's not your family, one would usually be in trouble with his family, especially the closer ones such as the wife, the husband, the mother or the father or siblings. However, in my experience, I have come to believe that it is mostly the case with the wife or the mother. Or perhaps it is a Chinese cultural thing. If that is the case, I would say, give it all to whoever it might be, because one needs to honor his/her parents and to allow yourself the opportunity to be a witness to whoever it may be. Then again, if it's the case with a wife, a man should know the authority that was given him by God while not going to the extreme, so in this case, wisdom is in order. And in the question of honoring God, it is not wrong for one to proclaim, "I have no need for the money, but if I don't take it, my mother would kill me". I'm sure the audience would smile in agreement. However, if financial condition demands the prize money, that proclamation would not be a good thing to say, or it would be hypocritical.
And if you take the money, it would be another important matter between you and God. Nevertheless, if you don't take the money, as I have mentioned only a little above, it is still an important matter between you and God. Eventually, it all comes down to 1Corinthians 10:31.
I would have to categorize this entry in "Reflection" because this is purely my thought. But I think that this is in favor of God.
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