More Precious than Jewels

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 (N.I.V)

Once upon a time a wise woman traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime.
But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.
"I've been thinking," he said. "I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone."

What do you think the woman had? Would you give up a precious stone like that to a stranger? What could be more valuable than having such a jewel?

The wise woman must already have been rich beyond compare in what matters. The stone was a gift that she had been given in love, and that she could also pass on to others in love. Knowing that God had provided for her past and present gave her the assurance that God would also provide for her future. It is not the wealth of the world that people need, but to have love inside them. Love is the Kingdom of God, because God is love. If we have love as pure as that which is in heaven, our souls are full of peace and our first priority in this world is to love others.  God’s will is that His love abounds in us all. Through His help you can do your part in His will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

*****

“Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel”.

Proverbs 20:15

*****