‘Poor fools,’ Sam thought, was he watched the line to the cashier stretch the entire width of his store. This was the best time of year. His profits were reaching for the stars and his bank accounts were bursting at the seams. Already, in his mind, the plans for expansion were concrete. Next year, profits would be even greater.
“Merry Christmas,” called out one of his regular customers. He returned the greeting with a smile. In his heart, he was wondering what merriment these folks could possibly derive, from a man-made holiday that favoured the big businessmen as himself. Christmas was surely a wonderful time of the year.
‘How could anyone even believe such a ridiculous 2000 year old story? Even if it was true, it certainly had no relevance to 21st century life,’ reasoned Sam as he shifted his weight to his better leg. The accident that occurred five years ago had left him with a painful knee. Doctors did their best and he certainly spent a tidy sum on medical bills. They told him he would have to live with it for the rest of his life.
“Please, Sir, I could get a little help for the children?” A filthy woman with a child in tow stood before him.
To get rid of her quickly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ten dollar bill and gave it to her.
“Thanks,” said the woman, who had obviously expected more from him.
With the expansion plans he had in mind, no beggars would even get this close to him. He secretly despised the poor. He had no intention of being the community Santa Claus, as was his father, literally. He remembered all the money his father wasted on toys each year. ‘What did it get him?’
Well, that depended on who you asked. Their minister of religion said his father was guaranteed entry into heaven and the village seer-woman said he would have an easier life when he was re-incarnated. His friend said his father lived in heaven on earth, for heaven and hell were right here. The wayside preacher said that entry into heaven was only for those who accepted Jesus Christ into their heart and made Him Lord of their life. He knew for sure that his father had done no such thing.
Sam had convinced himself that it was all a load of rubbish. The most important thing in life, he still believed, was to make money and stash it away.
He could see himself in his new office, looking through the glass panels. He needed to keep an eye on his employees and customers as well. A few employees had been
caught over the years stealing from the store. Shoplifters were in a class by themselves. Even his former security guard had been helping himself generously.
In the new store, there would be security cameras everywhere. He would have a comfortable office space, hire more staff and of course, make more money. Oh yeah, it was all good!
However, unknown to Sam, before the next dawn, he would discover who was the real fool. (Luke 12:20). That night, a sharp pain in his chest woke him from sleep. Suddenly, he wondered whether all this stuff about Heaven and Hell was true.
The pain intensified. Was any of it true? Who was speaking the correct thing: his minister of religion, the seer woman, his friend, or the wayside preacher? Sam was about to find out but it was too late to do anything about it.
Reflection:
Dear reader, you still have time to make the decision to accept Jesus. Don’t wait until it is too late. Say this prayer to make Him Lord of your life:
Father I thank you for sending Your Son Jesus into this world, to save me from my sins. Please forgive my sins and be Lord of my life. Be the biggest part of my life.
Amen.
