To know Christ is to be rich beyond measure, wealthy beyond your wildest dreams. After all, Jesus is the Jewel of Heaven! Let me tell you a story.
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He was the Richest Man in the Valley. There was no disputing it. Secure and confident, he was escorting his house guests to their expensive cars, when John, his gardener, cap in hand, approached him to give him a message. The man was poor and shabbily dressed and looked embarrassed to be talking to the Richest Man in the Valley. He shuffled from one foot to the other.
“Well, out with it, man,” his employer snapped impatiently, his eyes on his departing guests.
“Sir,” John stuttered. He was obviously very nervous. “Sir—I know this sounds mighty strange, but I had a dream last night that really upset me. I dreamt that the Richest Man in the Valley would die tonight at midnight! You all right, sir?” he finished lamely, feeling exceptionally stupid.
His boss stared at him. John was all right as gardeners go. He worked hard and was honest and trustworthy, but the Richest Man in the Valley was aware that he attended the little evangelical church in the village and was one of those “born-again Christians.” He’d never had much time for religion himself, always felt too much church made you a little weird. John’s words confirmed his suspicions! “You don’t need to worry about me, John,” the Richest Man in the Valley said impatiently and cheerfully, turning on his heel.
John watched him disappear inside the huge carved door of the mansion and felt relieved. It had taken all of his courage to talk to the man, but the dream had been so sharp—he’d never experienced anything like it. Had God sent him a message in his dream, he wondered? He worried about the Richest Man in the Valley. He had no idea where he stood with God.
The Richest Man in the Valley closed the door of his beautiful home and looked around. Silly to let the poor man’s words bother him. Why, things had never been better. It wouldn’t do any harm, though, he mused, to invite his doctor round for a drink—late in the evening!
So, late that night the Richest Man in the Valley and his doctor enjoyed a game of cards and talked at length about world affairs and the stock market. The clock on the expensive wooden paneling ticked on: five minutes to midnight, four minutes to midnight, three minutes, two minutes. One minute—MIDNIGHT! Irritated with himself that he felt so relieved, the Richest Man in the Valley bade the doctor goodnight and retired.
He had no sooner climbed into bed than the doorbell rang urgently. Hurriedly wrapping his robe around him, the Richest Man in the Valley ran downstairs to answer the frantic knocking. A young girl stood on the doorstep, her eyes red with weeping. Her clothes were old, and she carried what looked like her mother’s purse.
“What’s the matter?” the Richest Man in the Valley inquired, not unkindly.
“Sir,” she gulped, “l just came to tell you that tonight at midnight my father died.”
“Your father?” Who is your father?” asked the puzzled man.
“John,” the little girl replied softly, tears coursing down her face. “John, your gardener—The RICHEST MAN IN THE VALLEY!”
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To know Christ is to be rich beyond measure, wealthy beyond your wildest dreams. For after all…Jesus is the Jewel of Heaven!
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