The Happiest Man On Earth

There once was a king who had more money than he knew what to do with. He owned all of the land as far as the eye could see, several castles, and he ruled his land with an iron fist. But no matter how much he had, he never seemed to have enough and was a very miserable man.

One day he told his servant, “I want you to go out and scour the land, from one horizon to the other, and find the happiest man on earth, and bring me his shirt. Once I have the shirt of the happiest man, I will be able to be happy myself. I don't want you to return without that shirt or you will be beheaded.”

The servant set out about his mission and was gone for many moons. The king was getting impatient as he waited and waited. Finally, after many months of searching, the servant returned, on hands and knees, crawling before the king. The king noticed the servants hands were empty and became very angry.

He told the servant that he had one minute before he was to be beheaded and he had better explain why he had disobeyed his orders.

With tears in his eyes, the servant looked to the king and said “Master, I did as you said, I searched from horizon to horizon looking for the happiest man on earth, and I finally found him.”

So the king asks, “Why didn't you bring me the shirt of this man?”

The servant replied, “Master, the happiest man on earth did not own a shirt.”

We sometimes place too much emphasis on the physical aspects of life thinking that without these material things life would be unlivable. That is a falsity that many of us have adopted not realizing that true peace and contentment have nothing to do with material possessions, but have everything to do with a personal relationship with God and the Joy that He places in the hearts of those who trust Him.

Yrs lovingly,

Adele Josephine Tan

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” - 1 Timothy 6:10-12

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” - Philippians 4:8