THE RING

A student came to his teacher with a problem:

-I came here, professor, because I feel so small, that I am powerless to do anything. They say I'm good for nothing, I do not do anything right, I'm very slow and stupid. How can I improve?

-What can I do to value myself more?

The teacher without looking at him, said:

-Sorry young man, but now I can’t help, I must first solve my own problem. Maybe later and pausing said:

-If you help me, I can solve my problem more quickly and then maybe i can help you solve yours.

-Of course, the young man stammered, but felt devalued again.

The teacher pulled out a ring that he used in His little finger, gave the boy and said:

-Ride the horse and go to market. You should sell this ring because I have to pay a debt.

-We must get for the ring as much as possible, but do not accept less than a gold coin. Go and come back with the money as soon as possible.

The young man took the ring and left.

Barely reached the market and began to offer the ring to the merchants.

They looked with some interest, till the young man told them how much the ring cost.

Barely reached the market and began to offer the ring to the merchants.

They looked with some interest, till the young man told them how much the ring cost.

When the young man mentioned a gold coin, some people laughed, others would leave without even looking at it, but only one old man was kind enough to explain that a gold coin was too valuable to buy a ring.

When the young man mentioned a gold coin, some laughed, others would leave without even looking at it, but only one old man was kind enough to explain that a gold coin was too valuable to buy a ring.

Trying to help the young man, he offered a silver coin and a cup of copper, but the young man followed the instructions to not accept less than a gold coin and refused the offers.

After offering the jewellery to everyone passing by the market and depressed by failure,he rode his horse and returned. The young man wanted to have a gold coin so that he could buy the ring, thus ending the concern of his teacher and so he could receive his help and advice.

He entered the house and said:

-Professor, I'm sorry, but it is impossible to get what you asked. Perhaps you could get 2 or 3 pieces of silver, but do not think you can fool anyone about the value of the ring.

-Important what you said young man, he replied smiling. We have to know the value of the ring first. Get back on your horse and go to the jeweller. Who better to know the exact value of the ring? Say you want to sell the ring and ask how much he gives for it. But no matter how much He offers, do not sell it. Come back with my ring.

The young man went to the jeweller and gave him the ring to examine. The jeweller looked at the ring with a loop, weighed the ring and said:

- Tell your teacher that if he wants to sell now, I cannot get more than 58 gold coins for the ring.

- 58 GOLD COINS! The Young man cried.

- Yes, replied the jeweller, I know that with time I could offer about 70 coins, but if the sale is urgent...

The young man went home excited to tell the teacher what happened...

- Sit, said the teacher, and after hearing all that the young man told him, said:

-You are like this ring, valuable and unique jewellery. It can only be evaluated by a specialist. Did you think that anyone could discover your true value?

And saying it put the ring on his finger again.

We are all like this gem. Valuable and unique and walk across all markets of life expecting that inexperienced people value us and see our worth.

Let God evaluate you and tell you your real value.

Making proper use of the tongue

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” Proverbs 18:21

A direct translation of this verse from the Portuguese, WBPT Brazilian Portuguese NT Bible would be “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who use it well will eat its fruit.

I believe you must have heard several times someone say that the word has power. Yes, and amazing how people do not give much importance to this fact. With words we can build or destroy. When the Bible refers to death it can be discourage, contamination of negative ideas, or negativity. And when it speaks of Life it can be motivate, cheer, teach, rebuke, edify, or save a person. Words can be poisonous or nutritious. There are several examples in the Bible of proper and improper use of the words. I want to cite an example where there is word of death and life.

The Bible in Book of Numbers, talks about 12 men sent by Moses to spy the land of Canaan. And after 40 days they were back with their report.

Think about this, the children of God are waiting for 40 days anxious to here the good news about the land that flows milk and honey. They gather together to hear the report the spies are bringing.

Negative report

1-Fear and impotence- “Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong…” Num13: 28

2- Inferiority complex - “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we” Num13:31

3-Contamination of negativity- And they gave the children of Israel a bad report…” Num13:32

4- Weakness and low self-esteem –“… and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” Num13:33

Can you imagine the impact of those words? Well Bible says that the congregation lifted up their voices, cried and wept all night. They complained and were full of fear. Num14:1-2

They had just eaten the poisonous words.

Positive report

This was from Joshua and Caleb, 2 of the 12 Men sent to spy;

1-Audacity, encouragement - Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said “let’s go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” Num13:30

2- Motivation – “...The land we passed thorough to spy out is an exceedingly good land.” Num14:7

3-Teaching and admonishing- “If the Lord Delights in us, than he will bring us into this land and give it to us…” Num14:8

What kind of words are you spreading? 

 “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” James3:5