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
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