Parable Of The Merchant And His Wives
Once upon a time there was a rich merchant who had four wives. He loved
the fourth wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to
delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.
He also loved the third wife very much. He was very proud of her and always
wanted to show her off to his friends. However, the merchant is always in
great fear that she might run away with some other man.
He also, loved his second wife. She is a very considerate person, always
patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant
faced some problems, he always turned to his second wife and she would
always help him out and tide him through difficult times.
Now, the merchant's first wife is a very loyal partner and has made great
contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care
of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and
although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to
die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have
four wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!"
Thus, he asked the fourth wife, "I loved you most, endowed you with the
finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will
you follow me and keep me company?"
"No way!" replied the fourth wife and she walked away without another word.
The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's heart.
The sad merchant then asked the third wife, "I have loved you so much for
all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No!" replied the third wife. "Life is so good over here! I'm going to
remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the second wife, "I always turned to you for help and you've
always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you
follow me and keep me company?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the second wife. "At
the very most, I can only send you to your grave." The answer came like a
bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.
Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter
where you go. "The merchant looked up and there was his first wife.
She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly
grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you
while I could have!"
Actually, we all have four wives in our lives.... The fourth wife is our
body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good,
it'll leave us when we die.
Our third wife? Our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all
go to others.
The second wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had
been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up
to the grave.
The first wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of
material wealth and sensual pleasure. Guess what? It is actually the only
thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to
cultivate and strengthen it NOW rather than to wait until we're on our
death bed to lament.
< ><
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his
own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:26
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
[ Author unknown -- submitted by OurCherokeeRose, via Charlotte (GAgirl@flash.net) ]
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