There was this story of a very wealthy Scandinavian farmer who has just returned from his very extensive trip. Upon arriving home, he walked out into his fields. While there he encountered his hired man named Hans saying his grace over his meal. “Excuse me, but what are you doing?” Asked the rich man. “Oh, pardon me sir, but I was just thanking God for the food He has provided me.” The rich man noticing the prudent meal of bread and cheese simply remarked, “Well, if God did not provide me any better than this, I think I would not bother.” Then Hans continued on, “You know sir, it’s most interesting that you should come back today because last night I dreamed that the richest man in our village would die tonight. Strange isn’t it?” Visibly, the rich man was shocked.
The rich man asked a doctor friend to spend the evening with him because he was confident that he had more money than anyone else in the valley. That night the housekeeper prepared a lovely meal for the two men, though the rich farmer ate very little being so anxious about his hired poor man’s dream. Every time the clock struck, he jumped nervously. The clock struck eight; nine, ten, eleven… suddenly there was a brisk knock on the door. The rich man almost jumped out of his skin, then reluctantly went to the door to find one of the farm man to give him the news, “So sorry to bother you sir, but I thought you should know. Hans just past away a few minutes ago. His heart has stopped beating.”
True riches of life are not the ones that have to be protected with high security and insurance against theft. Well, you may be the richest person in your village or city, but how about just spending a little time to give thanks? You’re not rich at all? Not a problem. There are still plenty of things to thank God for! Not a thanksgiving day? So what? After your dinner, go around your table and let each one on the table share what he is thankful for and praise God for everything He has done in your life. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8 (KJV).
I remember a colleague of mine told me about her 32 year-old friend who just passed away one month after discovering she had breast cancer. It was nearly at the last stage when discovered but she refused to have a treatment knowing she would die anyway. Instead, she packed her bags on a very extensive trip around the world with her boyfriend spending every minute together of what’s left of her time. In the last moments of her life, laying on a hospital bed, all her friends gather around her pretending to be happy entertaining her as if everything was alright. Once they all leave the room everyone was silent. She said she was happy that she got all her friends and family together around her and thought she got everything she ever wanted, well almost. I was told that before this woman passed away she could not recognize any single one of them while seeing all her dead relatives coming to get her.
Like the rich man and the poor man in this story, one of them knew his time has come but remained thankful, certain and prepared knowing where his soul is headed when he dies while the other was uncertain, lost, afraid, full of worries and confused. Which one of these two are you? When you know you’re at the last moments of your life, how would you spend it? Would you be rather thankful or fearful? Just like a lost wanderer who is hungry and thirsty epitomizes anyone who has not found the satisfaction that comes from knowing God through Jesus Christ. Anyone who recognizes he’s at state of being lost can accept Christ’s life-giving offer: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6), He is the bread of God from heaven that gives life unto the world (John 6:33 & 35), He is the living water (John 4:10-14), and the giver of rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Why wait until the last moments of your life for you to make that decision. Who knows it may not be revealed unto you. You will lose your chance of Christ’s life-giving offer!
The rich man asked a doctor friend to spend the evening with him because he was confident that he had more money than anyone else in the valley. That night the housekeeper prepared a lovely meal for the two men, though the rich farmer ate very little being so anxious about his hired poor man’s dream. Every time the clock struck, he jumped nervously. The clock struck eight; nine, ten, eleven… suddenly there was a brisk knock on the door. The rich man almost jumped out of his skin, then reluctantly went to the door to find one of the farm man to give him the news, “So sorry to bother you sir, but I thought you should know. Hans just past away a few minutes ago. His heart has stopped beating.”
True riches of life are not the ones that have to be protected with high security and insurance against theft. Well, you may be the richest person in your village or city, but how about just spending a little time to give thanks? You’re not rich at all? Not a problem. There are still plenty of things to thank God for! Not a thanksgiving day? So what? After your dinner, go around your table and let each one on the table share what he is thankful for and praise God for everything He has done in your life. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8 (KJV).
I remember a colleague of mine told me about her 32 year-old friend who just passed away one month after discovering she had breast cancer. It was nearly at the last stage when discovered but she refused to have a treatment knowing she would die anyway. Instead, she packed her bags on a very extensive trip around the world with her boyfriend spending every minute together of what’s left of her time. In the last moments of her life, laying on a hospital bed, all her friends gather around her pretending to be happy entertaining her as if everything was alright. Once they all leave the room everyone was silent. She said she was happy that she got all her friends and family together around her and thought she got everything she ever wanted, well almost. I was told that before this woman passed away she could not recognize any single one of them while seeing all her dead relatives coming to get her.
Like the rich man and the poor man in this story, one of them knew his time has come but remained thankful, certain and prepared knowing where his soul is headed when he dies while the other was uncertain, lost, afraid, full of worries and confused. Which one of these two are you? When you know you’re at the last moments of your life, how would you spend it? Would you be rather thankful or fearful? Just like a lost wanderer who is hungry and thirsty epitomizes anyone who has not found the satisfaction that comes from knowing God through Jesus Christ. Anyone who recognizes he’s at state of being lost can accept Christ’s life-giving offer: Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6), He is the bread of God from heaven that gives life unto the world (John 6:33 & 35), He is the living water (John 4:10-14), and the giver of rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Why wait until the last moments of your life for you to make that decision. Who knows it may not be revealed unto you. You will lose your chance of Christ’s life-giving offer!
Bible passage to read: Psalm 107:8
“Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot.
In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.”
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