One day, a financially comfortable father decided to take his son to the country, with the purpose of showing him how poor people live, so that the son could understand the value of things, and realize how fortunate they were.
They stayed overnight at a very humble family’s farm for one day and one night. As the trip ended, and during their return home, the father asked his son:
“So what did you think of the trip?”
“It was great, dad!”
“Did you see how poor and needy some people have to live?”
“Yes!”
“And what did you learn?”
“I saw that we have one dog in the house, but they have four. We have a huge swimming pool, but they have a river that never ever ends. We have imported lamps in the patio, they have the stars. Our backyard ends at the fence, but theirs goes on and on into the horizon. Especially though, dad, I saw that they have time to talk to each other and live as a family. You and Mom have to work all day, and I hardly see you both!”
As the conversation ended, the father remained silent, and his son added: “Thanks Dad, for showing me how rich we could be!”
The moral of this story is two-pronged; whilst the son of the rich man helped his father to see how poor they are; the people in the country where they visited must also be regarding their rich visitors with envy and consciousness of their own poverty. And whilst the son of the rich man envied them for what they had, they too might be envying him for what he had. It’s all in the perspectives.
— Author Unknown
Meditation: Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. – Hebrews 13:5
You will succeed in Jesus Name!
Also read:
