A Test For True Believers

He appeared one Sunday morning,
At the Bend Church of God.
And everyone who witnessed it,
Just thought that he was odd.

He was dressed up like a prophet,
And smelled a little ripe.
Was he some crazy homeless man?
He sure looked like the type.

The minister began to speak,
About reality.
He said the Lord gives each of us
Responsibilities.

We cannot turn and walk away,
From the life God provides.
We have to overcome our fears,
And follow where He guides.

The beggar who depends upon
His brother’s charity,
Has become a willing burden
On our society.

With that, the man rose to his feet,
His bible in his hand,
He addressed the congregation,
“I’m here at God’s command.”

“You’ve judged the stranger in your midst,
And did not welcome me.
This is the first I’ve shared my words
With any one of thee.”

“Speak up if someone knows my name,
Or where my life began!
Do you know a thing about me,
Am I really a man?”

“You have labeled me a beggar,
Said I don’t pull my weight.
Yet I put every cent I had,
In your collection plate.”

“And now I finally understand
Why God sent me to you.
I have come as an example,
For my beliefs are true.”

“I was a very wealthy man,
My chest swollen with pride;
My one concern was for myself,
Until the day I died.”

“I came before the Lord that day,
And bore my soul to Him.
He showed me everything I’d done,
And what I saw was grim.”

“I had no love within my heart,
I was a selfish fool.
My treatment of my fellow man
Was arrogant and cruel.”

“But God had other plans for me,
I still had more to do,
Another road stretched out ahead,
Far from the life I knew.”

“I sold all of my possessions,
My treasures from before,
Then took the money that I earned,
And gave it to the poor.”

“Now I follow where God leads me,
Down every avenue,
To deliver our Lord’s message,
As I will do for you.”

“If Jesus Christ is who you love,
Then take His good advice.
The faith you’ll need to follow Him,
Requires sacrifice.”

“Give up the life which you have built,
Sell everything you own;
Have faith enough to take that leap,
And you won’t walk alone.”

“But do you have the fortitude
To really walk the walk?
Or will you stay here where it’s safe,
And only talk the talk?”

“For the time to talk is over,
You have to choose a side.
You can’t love both God and the world,
It’s time that you decide.”

“The age is coming to an end,
He’s knocking at the door.
It is a knock that some will heed,
And others will ignore.”

“Your destiny is in your hands,
And make the choice, you must.
Is it the world, or is it God,
Who earned your faith and trust?”

“May those of you who choose the Lord,
See your own faith increase.
And let the ones who choose the world,
Forever hold their peace.”

Then he waited for the people
To make their answers known.
Though when God told him to move on,
He left that town alone.

If you are a true believer,
As many have professed,
What answer do you think you’ll give,
When you’re put to the test?