A Modern Parable by Mrs. A. C. Ames

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 25, 1904

A Modern Parable

By Mrs. A. C. Ames

MRS. A. C. AMES

There was once a rich man who thought he would help some extremely poor people, so he said: “I will give these people a good house to live in, and will furnish them means with which to buy what they need. I will also keep their house in good repair, see to the plumbing, heating, and lighting, and all I will require of them is that they take good care of it. Of the money and other things I shall give them, I will require that they return one tenth of the increase to me. This I will do to test their devotion and appreciation. They surely will be only too glad to do that much.”

But A said: “I never was used to taking care of a house in this way; it is so much trouble, and really I can not see that it makes much difference anyway. I know the man who gave it to me asked me to ‘take good care of it,’ but I do not know just how he meant, and I guess I’ll let it go. It is so much bother to find out about so many little things; and as to the tenth being returned to him, it seems to me I can not spare that. I believe I will let that go, too.”

B said: “There is neighbor A over there, he does not seem to appreciate what has been done for him; he does not pay any tithe at all. Nobody can say that of me, I pay my tithe faithfully;” and he looked about him with an air of complacency, but a shade passed over his face, and he continued: “I don’t know whether I take as good care of the house as the owner would like. It is wearing out faster than it would if I took better care of it, but it does not matter so much as long as I pay my tithe.”

So it went with one after another, until we come to F (faithful). He said: “My house is not so good as some have, but it is much better than I could ever have hoped to have if it had not been for that rich man’s kindness, and then, too, he told me just how to take care of the house. I do not understand all about it, but I will do the very best I can to learn. He asked me to return to him a tenth of the increase of all he gave me. What a little thing to ask in return for all the good things he has given me!” So with a happy heart he went on his way.

By and by the rich man came to see how his tenants were getting on. What did he see? What did he hear? What were his feelings as he witnessed the ingratitude of those he thought to benefit? We leave it to you, dear reader, to finish the little parable.

The houses the rich man gave to those poor, miserable people are the bodies the Lord has given us, and the care of them is healthful living in its truest sense. The money and goods are our possessions. The rich man’s return is the coming of our Lord. O, may we, none of us, be “weighed and found wanting” in that great day!