A wealthy landowner spent most of his days worrying about losing his great fortune.
He worried about the weather and the potential storms that could ruin his farm. He worried about other landowners whose crops might sell instead of his own. He worried about his home and the many things that needed to be repaired. He also worried about this servants in fear that they might run off and leave him with no one to help during the harvest.
At this thought the landowner looked out the window of his large home to see one of his servants. To his surprise, the man was smiling. He was so poor yet so happy.
“How could this be?” the landowner said to himself.
So, he confronted the servant asking him how he could be so happy when he had so little.
“Good sir, I have all that I need,” the man replied.
“But can’t you see this large house where I stay? Isn’t this something you wish to have?” asked the landowner.
“You have given me a shelter with a roof to keep me from the cold. What else should I want?” he said in reply.
“But I can serve great meals and share them with very important people. Do you not wish to have these as well?” asked the landowner.
“You have given me food each day for myself and for my family. None of us go hungry,” said the servant.
“But look at all the amazing things I have bought with the money I have. Do you not wish to own such things as these?” asked the landowner.
“You have given me wages to buy the things we need to live a happy life,” replied the servant.
At this last reply, the landowner realized the most valuable part of his wealth. It was not in his house or in the extravagant foods. It was not in the many things he could buy. It was in his ability to provide for others that his wealth had real value.
From that day forward, the landowner lived a much happier life. He did not worry about keeping his wealth safe. Instead, he spent his days buying only what he needed and giving the rest of his wealth to others.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
To read and share more fables inspired by the Beatitudes, download a free eBook edition of Beatitales: Volume I.
