There was a man who lived in great poverty.
Every morning he woke up, put on the same frayed shirt, the same tattered pants, and the same worn-out sneakers. And he went to the corner and begged.
Every evening he came back to his apartment with just enough for another day. Enough to pay the next rent due. Enough for a sandwich at lunch and a meager dinner.
Every night he went to bed tired and weary, but ready to begin again the next morning.
Then one day a gentleman in a suit and a hat and a nicely trimmed mustache approached the man on the corner. And the gentleman said to the man, “I want to give you a gift. A great gift. One that will rid you of these frayed and tattered clothes and allow you to leave this street corner and this life of begging. A gift of great value that will change your life forever after.” And the gentleman handed the man a cashier’s check. “This check is worth $50 million,” said the gentleman. “Get up from your life of poverty and lay hold of great riches.” And with that, the gentleman walked away.
The man on the corner sprung up in celebration. Tears of joy ran down his face. He who had been so poor had been given a gift of great value. That night he went to bed content and overjoyed. He was rich.
The next morning he woke up, put on the same frayed shirt, the same tattered pants, and the same worn-out sneakers. And he went to the corner and begged.
That evening he came back to his apartment with just enough for another day. Enough to pay the next rent due. Enough for a sandwich at lunch and a meager dinner.
That night he went to bed tired and weary. But he looked at the check lying under his mattress and reminded himself that he was rich. And he smiled. He was ready to begin again the next morning.
So it is with those who accept God’s grace for forgiveness but continue in unrighteousness.
teddy ray 