How to Repay | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 2, 1872

How to Repay.

A RICH young man of Rome had suffered from a severe illness; but at length he was cured, and recovered his health. Then he went for the first time into the garden, and felt as if he were newly born. Full of joy, he praised God aloud. He turned his face to the heavens, and said, “O thou almighty Giver of all blessings, if a human being could in any way repay thee, how willingly would I give up all my wealth!” Hermas, the shepherd, listened to these words, and said to the rich young man, “All good gifts come from above; thou canst not send anything thither. Come, follow me.” The youth followed the pious old man, and they came to a dark hovel, where there was nothing but misery and lamentation; for the father lay sick, and the mother wept, while the children stood round naked, and crying for bread. Then the young man was shocked at this scene of distress. But Hermas said, “Behold here an altar for your sacrifice! Behold here the brethren and representatives of the Lord!” The rich young man then opened his hand and gave freely and richly to them of his wealth, and tended the sick man. And the poor people, relieved and comforted, blessed him, and called him an angel of God. Hermas turned and said: “Ever thus turn thy grateful looks first toward heaven, and then to earth.”—Krummacher.