In his book Solving Life Problems, Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho told a story of a poor, young Englishman who journeyed to America to seek his fortune. According to the story, this young man conscientiously saved his money, finally with enough to buy a third-class ticket on a boat bound for America. Although he did not have money for food, he decided that his venture was worth the sacrifice.
After he boarded the boat, he went down to the third-class section. During mealtime in the dining room he remained alone in the last cabin, pondering the moment when he would arrive at New York's shore.
But that moment was delayed by two weeks. An unexpected typhoon sent the boat off course, and it took fourteen days for the crew to adjust to the original planned cruise. By the end of those two weeks, the young man felt as if he were dying from starvation. Even though he could see New York on the horizon, he thought, "Whether I die from starvation, or die from punishment when the restaurant finds that I have no money to pay, it's all the same to me."
So he went to the dining room for the first time and ordered a full course meal. He devoured the food like a starving man, ordered more, and ate until he was satisfied. Then he turned to the waiter, "Please bring my bill. I need to see the check."
The waiter just looked at him. "What kind of bill do you want, sir?"
"Well," replied the satisfied young man, "I need the bill for all the food I just ate."
"Sir," responded the waiter, "When you bought the ticket to travel on this boat you also purchased all the meals you would need during the trip. You have already paid the bill."
When I read this story, the first thing that readily came to my mind was ignorance. You see, God doesn't mince words in Hosea 4:6 where He says, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. The young man in the story had almost died from starvation which came as a result of his lack of knowledge that he had already paid for all the food he could have wanted.
Today, many believers have ignorantly starved themselves both physically and spiritually as a result of their ignorance of the fact that when they came to Jesus, they received a ticket to heaven; and in that ticket, there is salvation, prosperity, good health, long life, peace and security. They spend all their lives not enjoying all that God has in stock for them. As believers in Christ, we should know that He has already paid the bills for our prosperity. We are just to keep on enjoying it by faith.
Well, if you are reading this tract, but you don't know Jesus, I want you to know that you haven't got the ticket, let alone enjoying what's in the package. The good news is that the bill Jesus paid also covered your own access to heaven and your prosperity here on earth. But before you can enjoy this package, you MUST get the ticket by inviting Jesus to come into your life and be your Lord and Savior.
That young man in the story struggled to buy his ticket, but you needn't struggle to get yours. Your belief in Jesus Christ and your confession of His Lordship is what you need to secure your ticket. (Rom.10:9-10) This is almost free, isn't it? Pastor Toni Ogobegwu once said that the worst thing a man can get is to pay for something he can get freely. Isn't it wise to stop struggling to pay for things you can get freely?
This is a special invitation from the Lord to you:
Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink, even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk- it’s free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen, I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul. (Isaiah 55:1-2 New Living Translation)
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