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Here is a true story. I know it's true: I made it up myself!
Once upon a time a fabulously wealthy Indian Rajah, who was so rich that every year, on his birthday he weighed himself in diamonds, invited hundreds of his people to a special party to celebrate his son's coming of age.The invitations were peculiar, but specific. 'Do not disclose anything about this party to anyone lest my son hears about it and I want it to be a surprise to him. If you intend to come, please bring a gift for him, and please observe three conditions:
1.-The gift must be a receptacle of some sort, no matter how large or small: that is it must be a container of some kind
2.-The container must be made of pure gold
3.-It must be gift wrapped.
The invited guests were in consternation for it would cost such a lot to go to the party with a golden gift. Some solved it by buying a thimble made of gold (well a thimble is a container, isn't it?). Some had miniature cups made, as for a dolls house, but all in gold. One girl, who loved the prince dearly, nagged her wealthy father into having a large urn made of gold and having her love greetings inscribed on it. Dad was not pleased. It was too extravagant.
They all used much larger boxes to pack and wrap their gold gifts, and when the day arrived, those with packages were ushered into a separate courtyard. The Rajah welcomed them and thanked them for coming and for their generosity in bringing a gift as he had prescribed. Then came the surprise. He announced: "My son already has everything money can buy, and it was I who wanted to give you a gift, to thank you for your love and loyalty - so unpack your receptacles now, go to my storehouse and my servants will fill your golden gifts to the brim with diamonds as my gift to you.
That's the end of the story.
If you're not sure what it means, wait till tomorrow - or better still, ask any child. But for now, these are the words of Jesus:
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38
A Prayer:
Lord prevent me always asking "What's in it for me?" - rather than "What can I give to them?".
Now read Ephesians Chapter 2.
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