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Once there was a rich farmer in Ireland who had many acres and also many
servants and peasants that worked for him. One day he published
a note that said: “Next Monday I will forgive all financial
debts of my labourers. I will be in my office from 10.00 am
until noon. All outstanding bills have to be brought.”
For many days everyone was talking about this announcement. Some
thought that this would be a bad joke; others assumed that the
farmer was out of his mind and that he became insane.
When Monday came many people gathered in front of the office.
When the clock stroke 10.00 am the rich farmer came with his
butler and without saying a word the two men went into the
house. Outside a discussion began. No one was courageous enough
to be the first one entering the farmer’s office. Even after one
hour not a single person had stepped into the house. Some said
that their debts were not that bad so they wanted others to go
first. Precious time was wasted. When it was a quarter to twelve
an old couple came that lived on the very end of the farmer’s
property. They have many outstanding bills in their hands and
start to ask the people if it was correct that the landlord
wants to pay everything. They were told that the farmer had not
paid anything until this moment – but no one had entered his
office either! “Why don’t you two go in and if he pays you
everything come back out and let us know!” So the elderly couple
enters the farmer’s office and without major questions their
bills were paid by him. Overjoyed they want to tell all the
others but the butler explains that they cannot go out before
twelve o’clock. “You took my word as trustworthy and believed in
it – all the others can do the same!”
When it was five minutes after twelve the farmer and his butler
left the house with the happy old couple. The crowd is pressing
hard since they want their bills to be paid, too. The landlord
answers: “Now it is too late! You had plenty of time to come to
me. I would have paid all your debts, but you did not believe
me!”
Dear readers, I am convinced that everyone understood the lesson
that was taught by the farmer. Jesus offers us to come to him
with all our debts, sorrows and needs. But do we take this
invitation seriously?
Deutsche Evangeliumskirche
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