Be different.4
“The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.” Proverbs 11:3.
I read a story titled JEWELS UNDER THE SADDLE. It was a story about a merchant and a Camel seller who came across each other at the market place. They are both skilled in negotiating, and to strike a deal at all time. The camel seller pleased with his skill of worming out what he felt was an excellent price, parted with his camel and the merchant chuffed that he had struck a fantastic bargain, proudly walked home with the latest addition to his large livestock.
On arriving home, the merchant called to his servant to come and help him take out the camel’s saddle. The unwieldy heavily padded saddle being too difficult for the servant to manage on his own. However, there was something hidden under the saddle; the servant found a small velvet pouch which on opening, he discovered to be filled with precious jewels.
The servant was overexcited. “Master you bought a camel, but see what came FREE along with it.”
The merchant was astonished as he looked at the jewels in his servants’ palm. They were of extraordinary quality sparkling and twinkling in the sunlight. “I bought the camel,” he said, “not the jewels. I must return them to the camel seller immediately.”
The servant was shocked. his master was foolish. “Master, no, one will know.” However, the merchant headed right back to the market and handed over the velvet pouch back to the camel seller. The camel seller was pleased, ” I had forgotten that I hid these jewels in the saddle for safekeeping.”
“Here, choose one of the jewels for yourself, as a reward.”
The merchant said, “I paid a fair price for the camel and the camel only, so NO thank you, I do not need any reward.” However, as much as the merchant refused, the camel seller insisted. Finally, the merchant said, sheepishly smiling, ” Actually, when I decided to bring the pouch back to you, I already took two of the most precious jewels and kept them for myself.”
At this confession, the camel seller was a bit surprised and quickly emptied the pouch to count the jewels. However, he was perplexed. “All my jewels are here. What jewels did you keep?
“The two most precious,” said the camel seller. “My INTEGRITY and my SELF RESPECT.” (Story by anonymous)
Jesus Christ has the power to turn stones to bread when Satan pressurized him to do so. However, he refused to let it happen. He had to use his strength and courage to stand up against Satan’s temptations. Joseph had the option to mess around with his boss wife and take advantage of her. He chose to run away from evil. Warren Buffet said, “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”
Philippians 4:8 says, ” brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Prayer;
1. Thank you Lord.
2. Lord given the spirit to know you more in Jesus name.
