# The Caravan #
There were once two caravans
traveling across a great desert. Each group was carrying a large amount of
supplies that would be very valuable at their destination. They were traveling
together for protection as there were many thieves in the area. To make matters
worse there was a severe drought in the region forcing many to steal to
survive. On the first dark night a band of marauders tried to steal the
caravan’s goods. The two caravans were able to ward off the thieves, but in the
fight one of the caravans lost half of its water. Ben, the leader of the group
that lost the water was considering turning back for it was questionable if
there was enough water left to make it to their destination. But Taylor, the
leader of the second group said, “There is water up ahead, so do not be
concerned. But be it understood I will not give you any of my water or I may
not make it. However, I will sell you half of my water here for one half of
your supplies and I will take the risk of running out of water.” Ben started to
think. If I turn back this whole trip will be wasted. But if I run out of water
my caravan will be vulnerable to the thieves and I can lose everything,
including the lives of all of my men. If I give up half of my supplies I will
break even on this trip but still have the security of my life and I can always
make other trips. So to the surprise of Taylor,
Ben gave up half of his valuable supplies from a mere pittance of half of Taylor’s water. Taylor took aside his
most trusted worker and told him, “Ben is a fool. There should be enough water
with half of my supply to make it unless there is extremely hot weather or we
are slowed down by thieves. But as added protection I am sending you ahead to
the Oasis to buy more water in case we need it. Learn well by my example and
you will grow rich with me.”
The caravans continued but there
was alot of trouble. The drought made the supplies
very valuable and soon the caravans were constantly fighting off bands of
thieves, which made traveling slow and dangerous. Taylor began selling the supplies he had
traded for water. People were treating him with respect, almost like a king for
they all needed the supplies he had. At this rate he would soon have all the
wealth and power anyone could ever want. He was a very smart man indeed! That
poor dumb Ben had already traded half of his wealth for water. Now Ben would
not sell any of his remaining supplies for more money because he had promised
to deliver them and would keep his word. Poor Ben would never be rich doing
business that way.
The trouble continued for the
caravan as they got closer to the oasis, for all the people were drawn there to
get water. Taylor
had used up almost all of his water because of the extra days the travel was
taking. So Taylor,
sought out Ben and said, “ Let me buy my water back. I
will give you back 1/2 of the money I have received for your goods. This will
give you a nice profit as I sold them for over three times what they were
worth. Ben quietly replied, “I need all of the water to make my destination.
You had better sell some more of your goods here so you can afford to buy
enough water to get you out of this drought region. If you wait much longer and
there is no rain the price for water will balloon and you will not be able to
buy enough.” But Taylor
was greedy. Why should he purchase water along the way at three times the cost. Surely the worker he had sent ahead had already
purchased enough water at the Oasis so there would be no shortage. Ben soon had
to bid farewell to Taylor as he could not go off
his route to accompany Taylor
to the oasis. Ben hoped that Taylor
would have purchased water where they were and not gambled alone on going to
the oasis. But he knew that Taylor
was greedy and would not be happy unless he made a fortune, whatever the risks.
Taylor headed towards the oasis for more water,
hoping against hope that he would run into his worker who would have purchased
enough water for them to survive this drought area and make it back home.
Suddenly Taylor
saw sand blowing in the desert. Was it a mirage or was a small caravan coming
this way? Closer and closer the dust came until finally the leader could see it
was a caravan carrying water. Closer and closer until
he could barely make out the image of the man leading the caravan. Closer yet
until he could see it was his trusted worker who was leading the small caravan.
Taylor let out
a joyous yell which was joined by all in his caravan. They had water coming. Taylor would be able to
keep all his money and sell the supplies to make even more money. Then the
worker was there and Taylor
ran out and hugged him. What a happy day! But then Taylor looked at the number of camels and the
amount of water which they carried. It would be enough to keep them, but not
enough to get them out of the desert. “Where is all the water I sent you to
get?” Taylor
demanded. The worker happily replied, “ I learned a
lesson from you on how to make money. There should be enough water with only
half of the water I purchased. Look at all the money I made by selling the
other half of the water you sent me to get. You are rich! Have you ever seen so
much gold and jewels?” Taylor
had all the wealth he would ever need, but without water he would never be able
to enjoy it.
Taylor did not know what to do. Surely there was
someone who would join him in his venture and give him water in exchange for
money. They could split the value of the supplies with him. He asked all the
caravan leaders he met, but they could not help as they did not have any extra
water. Here Taylor
was with all the riches of the world at his feet, plus all the riches that he
would be able to make with his remaining supplies, yet without water he was a
poor man. Without water he could not exist or leave this God forsaken, desolate
area with any of his riches. He would have to give everything he owned to get
what he needed the most, water. For now riches were not measured in gold or
silver, but how much life saving water one had. Taylor thoughts turned to Ben. He hated to
admit it, but Ben have been right to choose water over
riches, to save his caravan instead of losing it for riches. Taylor wondered, did Ben make it to his
destination or not?
Ben had not wanted to leave Taylor, but he did not
have much choice. It was either leave and get away from all the congestion and
people around the oasis, or get swallowed up by it and in the process run out
of the most precious thing he possessed, water. The caravan journey had been a
real struggle. Fighting those who would steal your possessions as well as
fighting the temptation of those who would give you whatever you wanted for
your water. Ben was offered gold, silver, power, and beautiful women for his
water. But he knew that he barely had enough water to reach his destination.
All were lying when they said there was water only a little ways farther. For
the only water available was what he carried. If he were lured into selling any
for temporary gain, he would not make it out of the desert.
Ben’s caravan finally made it
through the desert, through the wind, sandstorms, and burning sun. Their water
had run out as they reached the edge of the desert and started to come upon
green fields and trees. Suddenly the tired and worn out caravan faced a large
group of soldiers coming towards them with there Royal Leader. Ben went out
ahead and fell on his knees before the Leader saying, “We have brought supplies
here for you. We are tired and need water to survive. Please help us and the supplies
are yours for nothing.” But the man in charge replied, “I am King of this whole
region. You have done well. You have held your faith against all odds. You will
receive that which you have been promised. We have living water for you so that
you will never thirst, and a beautiful place for you to stay forever.”
Taylor, trapped at the Oasis, still looked for
some way to get water while keeping his riches. Finally he had some hope. A
caravan leader passing suggested he approach the Sultan of the Oasis. Taylor approached the Sultan with low expectations, but to
his surprise he worked out a deal where the Sultan would provide all the water Taylor would need for
only half of the supplies. Taylor
slept well in the guest tent that night. He still had not lost his brilliant
touch. He had struck such a great bargain with the Sultan that he would be able
to save over half of his wealth and that would make him one of the richest and
most powerful men around. But the next morning when he awoke something was
wrong. He looked down at his ankle and there was a metal ring attached around
it and tied to a steel post in the ground. He had been taken captive. The
Sultan walked in the tent and Taylor
immediately jumped up demanding to be released. The Sultan merely laughed heartily
and replied, “ You are joking aren‘t you? You really
believe you can have both the water and all the earthly riches. The two don’t
mix. Because you don’t have any lifesaving water you will have to be my slave
and work on the burning desert forever. All the riches you have accumulated
will burn and be worthless in this great heat. Don’t worry about escape for I
am sole ruler of my domain and no one comes down here of his free will.” This
story illustrates how faith enables us to know what riches to pursue. What good
are all the riches of the world which will soon pass away, when we can have the
living water of our Lord which reserves for us a
everlasting mansion in His glorious Kingdom in Heaven above.
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