Keep your lives free from the love of money and be
content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I
forsake you.”
There is a story of a wealthy man named Karl who loved to
ride his horse over his vast estate and congratulate himself on his good
fortune. On one such ride, he came across an old tenant farmer named Hans. Hans
had just stopped to eat his lunch in the shade of a great oak tree and had his
head bowed in prayer.
His prayer finished, Hans looked up and said,
"Greetings, sire, and God bless you! It is always an honor to see you. I
was just giving thanks for my food."
"Humph!" snorted Karl, seeing the coarse dark
bread and cheese that were the old man's lunch. "If that was all I had to
eat, I don't think I would feel like giving thanks."
"Oh, it is quite sufficient," said Hans.
"Yet it is more than remarkable that you should ride by today, sire.,, I
feel I should tell you about a strange dream I had just before waking up this
morning."
"What did you dream, old man?" asked Karl with
a condescending smile.
"It seemed that I was standing in a place of peace
and beauty. Then I could hear a voice saying, 'The wealthiest man in the valley
will die tonight.' "
"Dreams!" snarled the landowner.
"Nonsense!" And he galloped away.
"Lord, have mercy on his soul, if he really is to
die so soon," prayed the pious old man as he watched the horse and its
rider disappear from view.
"Die tonight?" mused Karl. It was a silly
thought. He felt fine, and surely the best thing for him to do was to forget
the old man's story of his dream. But he couldn't forget it. As the day went
on, he realized he didn't feel well at all. So he sent for his physician.
Karl told his doctor the whole story. "Sounds like
poppycock to me," replied the physician, "but for your peace of mind,
let me examine you."
The examination complete, Karl's doctor was earnest with
assurances. "Karl, you're as strong and healthy as that handsome horse you
ride. There's no way you are going to die soon. Forget that old man and his
stupid dream!" Feeling a bit foolish for all his worry, he thanked the
doctor and dismissed him.
The next morning, there was a loud knocking at Karl's
door. "It's about one of your tenants," the messenger said. "Old
Hans died in his sleep last night."
Who was the richest? What made him rich? Think about as
we work to get all the toys of life that make us feel like we are rich. Be
content with what God has given you.
Dear Lord, we thank You for the things You have given to
us. Help us be content and thankful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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