«[I am] confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ» (Philippians 1:6).
IT’S NOT OFTEN THAT «the happiest man on earth» encounters «the wisest man on earth.» However, that is what, according to Herodotus, happened many years ago when Croesus received a visit from Solon, the legendary Athenian legislator.
Croesus was king of Lydia in Asia Minor and possessed many riches. Herodotus said that one day, Solon heard of him and decided to visit him. Then Croesus took the opportunity to show him the riches of his kingdom and to ask him who the happiest man on earth was. His disappointment was great when Solon told him about Tellus, a poor but honest man who struggled to give his children a good education, and then gave his life for Athens.
Hiding his disappointment, Croesus then asked Solon who the second happiest man was. Again he was disappointed when Solon spoke about two young men who had lost their father as children, but who worked hard to support their mother and then honorably served Athens.
Croesus could take it no longer.
«Why do you put these poor people above the richest king in the world?» he asked.
«Because you can’t tell whether or not your life has been happy until the end of your days,» replied Solon, «since you don’t know what misfortune could strip you of all this splendor.»
Years later, a powerful conqueror named Cyrus rose up who dethroned Croesus and took him prisoner. On the day of his execution, Croesus began to repeat Solon’s name over and over, and Cyrus heard him.
«Why do you repeat Solon’s name so many times?» asked Cyrus.
Croesus, very remorsefully, told him about Solon’s visit and of his words: «You cannot tell whether or not your life has been happy until the end.» Could it be that he, too, would end his days like Croesus? In the end, he decided to pardon him.
Any lessons for us? Harry E. Fosdick summed it up well when he wrote that «a good start never implies a good ending, for the qualities that enable a man to begin are not the same ones that allow him to continue to the end. «In other words, «it is not how you start, but how you end.» King Saul started well, but he ended badly. Saul of Tarsus started badly, but he ended well. It all depends on whose hands you put your life in. If you give it to Jesus Christ, the promise is that He who began a good work in you will complete it.
Heavenly Father, please continue to work on my heart until the good work You began in me is completely finished.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Colaboradores: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
