The Parable of True Wealth

A certain wealthy young man owned a mill, which was the most important source of income for the people of his village. This he had inherited from his father, who had taken over the business from his own father, and so on, for several generations. The wealthy man inhabited his estate for all the years of his life, and throughout the years, as he walked proudly through his village, which eventually became a town, and then a small city, he often passed by a man in ragged clothes, the same man year in and year out, who meekly begged for alms each time they met.

The wealthy man was disdainful of the poor, thinking them lazy and idle. He was chiefly concerned with increasing his profit and his property. Yet he was a church-going Christian, and he was not mean or cruel. He remembered the parson quoting Deuteronomy, saying, “There will always be poor people in the land. Give freely to those who are poor and needy in your land. Open your hands to them.” So whenever he could not pass by unnoticed, he would give the poor man a few coins from his purse. Thus it went for many years.

The wealthy man strove industriously all his life, and multiplied his inheritance. Many sought to gain at his expense. People flattered, and wheedled, and cheated, and sued for his advantages. But the beggar just humbly thanked him for his little gifts and blessed him contentedly. The wealthy man and the beggar both grew old, keeping their different ways and means. The wealthy man at last became ill and weary, and was sorely burdened with his worldly concerns. One evening when again they encountered each other in the street, while handing him a coin, he asked the beggar in exasperation, “How can you have endured so long in your wretched alley, yet you seem so thankful and at peace?” The beggar bowed gratefully, and replied, “My friend, true wealth is knowing what is enough.” And so it was.