<TITLE>15. Par 134-142</TITLE>L-134 And he looked down there, and he seen the great gardens and everything, how beautiful it looked. And old John stood there with his straw hat in his hand, looking around. He said, "That's fine, Jim. I sure thankful that you've got it." Said, "Me and Katie ain't got much." Said, "We still live in that little old split-shingled house down there." And said, "We don't have very much, but we're awful happy."
Just then a bunch of carol singers, their voices begin to come in.
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, and all is bright
Around young virgin mother and Child,
Holy Infant so tender and mild.

L-136 Jim turned and looked at John; John looked up to Jim. Said, "John, I want to ask you something." Said, "You remember when we was boys, and we used to go to that little old red church down there on the side of the road, and we'd hear them old country choirs sing them songs?"
Said, "Yes."
Said, "You still go down there?"
Said, "Yes, I still belong there." Said, "I'm a deacon down there now."
Said, "What about you, Jim?" Said, "You was talking about how much you own down here." And said, "How much do you own up this way?"
"John, I'm sorry." Said, "I don't own nothing up that way." He said, "You remember just before Christmas one year, we didn't have any shoes?" And said, "We was more interested in getting some firecrackers for Christmas." And said, "We went out and set some box traps to catch some rabbits to get some firecrackers for Christmas." Said, "You remember that morning that big old wood's rabbit was in that box trap of yours?"
John said, "Yes, I remember it."
"You'd get some firecrackers; and you went and got some, divided them with me."
He said, "Yes."

L-140 Said, "John, I'll divide anything I got with you. But one thing I wish you could divide to me." Said, "I'd give everything I own, if I could walk that little old dusty road, bare-footed, up to that little old church again, and feel that Presence of the living God, when that choir was singing, the old fashion country preacher was preaching." Said, "I'd give anything. I'd give all that I own, every share in the railroad, and all the parts of the bank, and this home, and all, if I could turn back again and have that blessed peace that I had when I went up that old road."
Old John took and put his arms around him; he said, "There was three wise men, rich men who came and laid it all at the feet of Jesus one time, as a Baby," and said, "they received pardoning of their sins." He said, "I'd, although I'd... I think that you are wonderful, Jim, in what you've been blessed to do all these things. But I'd rather have my wife and seven children, living down there on straw ticks to sleep on, and have the peace that's in my heart, than to have all your riches, Jim, that you could have."

L-142 And that's right, friends. Riches is not measured out by dollars. Riches is not measured out by big names and popularity. Riches is when the Kingdom of God has come into the human heart, changed his emotions, and made him a new creature in Christ Jesus, and give him Eternal Life. That's the richest thing on earth. Let us pray.
And while our heads is bowed. Are you poor tonight in this world's goods? You don't even know how you're going to pay the coal bill or the oil bill, or whatevermore? You may be that way; I hope you're not. But if it's so that you are that way, you can leave this building tonight the happiest poor man there is on the earth. You can live here with--leave here tonight with riches that no money could ever buy. You can unite your heart with Christ Jesus, and He can come into your soul and take the control room. And no matter what comes or goes, you'll be happy the rest of your days. Would...


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