WANTS vs. NEEDS
Many years ago someone penned the following tribute to the Bible:
This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom
of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts binding,
its histories true, and its decisions immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy.
It contains light to direct you, food to supply you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and
the Christian's charter.
Here paradise is restored, heaven is opened, and the gates of h*ll disclosed.
Christ is the grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory,
and a river of pleasure.
It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and remembered forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who
trifle with its holy contents.
What other book ever written can offer so much? Even with its wealth of knowledge and instruction it is of no benefit when left alone with only months, yea even years of dust to slowly gather on its cover.
I heard a story recently of a wealthy father who gave his son a new Bible for his birthday. The son had been used to receiving lavish gifts on birthdays and at Christmas. The father knew that his son had been coveting a certain luxury automobile for some time. On this, his thirtieth birthday the son received a genuine leather-bound Bible!
Some years later the father was on his death bed. His son had not had much to do with him during the years between that thirtieth birthday and this moment. At his father’s side, he asked, “you knew what I wanted back then, why did you give me a Bible?” The father replied with a question. “Did you ever open the Bible? The son said he hadn’t and disgustedly laid it on a shelf to be forgotten. At this the father said, “Son, if only you had begun reading through that Bible, you would not only have found what you really wanted, you would have also found the things that you needed”.
The key to the luxury automobile and a note had been carefully placed within the pages of that Bible. The son missed what he wanted by not using what he needed.
Wishing you much of what you need and some of what you want,
Mike
You can view Mike's Daily Blessings at http://www.TheWoods.phpbbnow.com
Please invite Mike to your friends list here:
http://community.adlandpro.com/go/papaof7/