The Richest Man

My family came across this story while we were doing our morning devotions. It's short, simple, and illustrates the importance of making God your treasure...

"A rich man named Carl loved to ride his horse through his vast estate to congratulate himself on his wealth. One day on such a ride, he came on Hans, an old tenant farmer who had sat down to eat his lunch in the shade of a great oak tree.

Hans' head was bowed in prayer. When he looked up, he said, 'Oh, excuse me, Sir. I didn't see you. I was giving thanks for my food.'

'Hmph!' Carl snorted, noticing the coarse dark bread and cheese constituting the old man's lunch. 'If that were all I had to eat, I don't think I would feel like giving thanks.'

'Oh,' replied Hans, 'it is quite sufficient. But it is remarkable that you should come by today, Sir. I... I feel I should tell you, I had a strange dream just before awakening this morning.'

'And what did you dream?' Carl asked with an amused smile.

'It seemed there was beauty and peace all around, and yet I could hear a voice saying, 'The richest man in the valley will die tonight.'

'Dreams!' cried the landowner. 'Nonsense!' And he turned and galloped away.

'Lord, have mercy on his soul if he really is to die so soon,' Hans prayed as he watched horse and rider disappear.

Die tonight, mused Carl. It was ridiculous, of course! No use his going into a panic. The best thing to do about the old man's dream was to forget it.

But he couldn't forget it. He had felt fine, at least until Hans described his stupid dream. Now he didn't feel too well.

That evening he called his doctor, who was also a personal friend. 'Could you come over?' he asked. 'I need to talk to you.'

When the doctor arrived, Carl told him the whole story. 'Sounds like poppycock to me,' the doctor said, 'but for your peace of mind let's examine you.'

A little later, his examination complete, the doctor was full of assurances. 'Carl, you're as strong and healthy as that horse of yours. There's no way you're going to die tonight.' Carl thanked his friend, and told him how foolish he felt for being upset by an old man's dream.

It was about 9 A.M. when a messenger arrived at Carl's door. 'It's old Hans,' the messenger said. 'He died last night in his sleep.'"

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

~ Matthew 6:19-21, KJV

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Persevero,