394- Gold Mines

The ship was sailing carrying hundreds of people looking for work across one of the oceans. Suddenly, the alarm sound indicated state of emergency. Boats were lowered to carry the people with their belongings and as much food as they could and then went to a nearby island. They realized that they were alone on this island while the ship was full of water and sank.

The people decided to prepare the land for sawing. Two days later, one of these people came shouting, “Don’t be upset. I’ve good news: we’re on an island which has gold mines, we all going to be rich.”

Everybody was happy. They quitted sawing the land and all worked in the mines and became rich. Food ran short. Winter came and they could not find food. What is good of all this gold if they can not find food? They were in trouble they could not find a solution especially because the time of sawing and reaping is over. One after the other started dying until all perished and all the gold did not help them.

This is the story of many of us, who refuse to trust in God who satisfies our souls with the Divine knowledge. They find excuses. They are busy with temporary matters but the time will come when they will discover that what they collected will not satisfy their souls; that the opportunity has gone forever and they lost their everlasting life.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: مناجم الذهب.

Knowledge is more valuable than the purified gold.

My soul was occupied with many things but You are its heavenly food.

 Your wisdom satisfies my soul and knowing you quench my thirst.

 Let me have You in order to live, be satisfied and not perish.

 You are my satisfaction, gladness and my riches.

 You are my life and my glory.

 You are my fate and my heart's desire.

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Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

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