Lasting Treasure

A miser paused at the close of day

And counted his treasure o’er,

“I have prospered well,” I heard him say,

“But I wish that I had far more.”

He wrapped his wealth, with the shades drawn tight,

And hid it carefully;

“If another should steal my gold,” he sighed,

“My whole life would wasted be!”

He crept to bed, as he muttered o’er,

“Tomorrow I may have so much more!”

Another stood at the close of day

And counted his treasure o’er,

“I thank Thee Father for souls today,

I wish I had won far more.

I think Thee too for the straying hear

I saw Thy grace reclaim,

And for the chance to sing a song

That glorified Thy Name.”

He dropped to his knees, and whispered o’er,

“Use me tomorrow, so much more!”

One lays up treasure on earth, and lives

With greed and fear in his heart;

As he draws his last breath some sad day,

He and his gold shall part.

The other too must leave this world,

No gold he’ll leave behind,

But when he enters Heaven, there

His treasure he will find.

By Barbara C. Ryberg