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