One day a rich man stood on a hill overlooking a beautiful city. Sunbeams splashed on the streets below and glistened in the morning sun. Pleasant fragrances wafted through the air. The young man took a deep breath and sighed, “Fresh air is good for the body and the mind.”
A slight grin appeared on the man’s lips as he listened to the happy laughter of the people sitting on their porches chatting with one another. Down the block from the visiting neighbors, he spotted other people busy working. He stroked his beard and mumbled to himself, “They all look so happy and content even in the midst of hard work.”
The man edged forward for a closer look. His eyes widened in disbelief when he spied the elegant estates on manicured grounds. They were everywhere and on every street. There was no poverty in the city, but all the streets were lined with mansions, private rose gardens, decorative fountains, and majestic oak trees planted on the lush lawns.
It looks like that mansion is vacant. He squinted his eyes and stood on his tiptoes, his mind was buzzing with ideas. I have more than enough money to purchase that mansion. All I have back home is empty and void compared with these estates.
The man already lived in a palace, but his servants despised him, his wife hated him, and all his children rebelled against him. He lived in a lonely world of wealth. His “friends” only stuck around because of his riches, and everyone was trying to maneuver a plan to steal some of his money.
Nobody in this city lives as I do, with such discontent and contention. People always seem to be enjoying themselves to the fullest. The man’s brow furrowed. He drummed his fingers on his chest. “I don’t even see any servants running to and fro, serving and caring for the mansions, and yet their lawns are perfect!”
For two decades the man had been the wealthiest man in his country. Everyone envied him. His name and business were mentioned by everyone in the surrounding communities regularly. He was plagued by politicians hounding him and the public insisting he attend their parties, but he discerned their motives. They only care about me because I am rich.
As he stood on the hill admiring the mansion he wanted to buy, a ragged and poor man climbed up the hill and stood beside him. The rich man was indignant. “Who do you think you are? The audacity of someone of your caliber standing in close proximity of a high-class individual like me!”
“Pardon me for intruding.” The poor man smiled sweetly. “I come up here to admire my mansion every day just as you do.”
“You have a mansion?” The rich man’s belly shook with laughter.
“The king is going to one day come and take me to the city. He designed a mansion just for me, and I will live there forever!” The poor man’s grin grew larger despite the rich man’s condescending attitude. “I will never be poor again, and the king promises me a new wardrobe too.”
The rich man rolled his eyes. “You’ve been reading too many fairytales.”
“No, I can’t read. I’ve never had much schooling. I had to help my mother make ends meet after my father died.” The poor man brushed a tear from his cheek. “But the king promised that all the pain from my childhood, my imperfections, and all my sins would be washed away. I will be a new man and live in the presence of the architect of that city forever.”
“Dreamer!” The rich man scoffed at the poor man’s words, but their conversation was interrupted by an unexpected visitor.
“His Majesty!” The poor man bowed low to the ground.
The king lifted the poor man to his feet and gave him a big hug. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“I was just telling my new friend about you, Your Highness!” The poor man pointed to the arrogant rich man. “He wants a mansion in your city too!”
The rich man’s spine stiffened. “I am willing to pay any price for that mansion. I’m ready to seal the deal today!”
“Money cannot buy the mansions in my kingdom.” The king shook his head and put his arm around the poor man. “Besides, the mansion you are inquiring about already has an owner.”
“You mean the mansion he wants to buy is mine?” The poor man kissed the king’s hand and counted his blessings again. “Oh, thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Welcome home, my child. Enter into the land I have created for you and take residence in the mansion I have built for you.” The king’s eyes danced with excitement. “I saw all the sacrifices you made. I was pleased when you gave your heart and soul to me.”
“Your Majesty, it has been an honor to serve you.”
“I watched you give all your money, your time, and your service to the needs and betterment of your fellow man. And whatever you did, you brought glory to my name.” The king presented the poor man with a new robe. “You have lived like a pauper these past few years, but now you will be rich forever.”
The rich man stammered and stuttered. “But what about me?”
“You fool, you chose to horde your wealth, ignoring the needs of those around you. You only provided for your own selfish desires.” The king pointed accusingly at the stunned rich man. “Now you will return to your false wealth and find it has disappeared. The people you called your friends have also deserted you. You will spend eternity in want and need, serving a king you cannot please and working a task you cannot finish.”
The rich man hung his head in shame but could not utter a word.
The king turned his attention to the poor man. “You will never know another need in this life but shall live eternally in great pleasure.”
The poor man couldn’t stop thanking the king for all he had done for him.
The king gave the rich man one final warning, “You, oh rich man, should have given your heart and soul to me. Then you would have served me and given freely to others, living in simplicity and selflessness for two decades. You would have received everlasting life and eternal blessings!”
Moral of the story: What fools we are, pursuing intently the things that could keep us on the outside the City of Life!
