LESSONS of FAITH - 1

It was in the bag. He was clutching it like it was the
last thing he owned. And it was. The attendants had to pry it
from his hands. When they opened it, they found over 3000
dollars, ˜mostly small bills. By some standards, he might be
considered rich, but you see, he wasn't. He was poor, wandering
the streets, sleeping in alleys and doorways, begging for food
and money. ˜He had found a good area where the people were
generous. He asked and they gave. Yet, when they found him, dead
from the cold and lack of good food, his clothes were old and
dirty, and his pockets were empty. All he had was that bag and
3000 dollars. What happened?

What happened is that he failed to follow one of the most
important teachings in the Bible. God's principle of Use. This
same principle is rarely applied in many of our own lives, ˜and
yet it is easily recognized as "missing" in others. The man with
the bag failed to apply the principle. He was keeping all he had
hid in a paper bag. He was saving for a rainy day. He was so busy
saving for an unsure future, he failed to see the storm around
him, ˜and he ended up dead on the sidewalk, clutching his only
belonging. It was in the bag.

That which he cared so much about is now useless to him. He
didn't use what he had. He kept it hid in a bag, while he wasted
away. He didn't spend a cent for food, clothing, or anything. He
kept saving, saving, saving! Now it's too late. He didn't use it.
It was in the bag.

Are you holding on to all you have? Are you afraid to use
it? Are you saving for a rainy day? Don't! Don't die holding the
bag! ˜God wants you to use your talents and your resources. ˜He
gave them to you, not so you can hide them in a bag, ˜but to
display to all for His Glory! Jesus, in the parable of The
Talents, ˜was pleased at the servants that used what they were
given and angry at the servant that buried his portion in the
ground. (See Matt. 25:14) Jesus even instructs us not to save
treasures on earth where moth and dust corrupt, ˜and thieves
steal, but to save treasures in heaven, for where our treasures
are, our heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19)

Please, take it out of the bag!

LRH 10/10/85



Wes,
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