The Man Who Had Nothing

The Man Who Had Nothing

Nothing he had to show for his life;
not children, friends, a lover, or wife.
Many a time the chance had been given
to work at a job to earn his own living.

He preferred to live simply within his own means,
Dishonest! some would say or so it seems;
Wraggling a dollar in a deal his way,
He made his sad journey day by day.

In his dismal existance he heard the small voice
You know that you really don't have a choice!
Just take what you want and forget about others,
You owe nothing at all to your uncaring brother.

Yes! he thought, the easy way out,
Cheat and swindle when there is a doubt
Give others a potion filled with lies and deceit
Then without a conscience continue to cheat.

But then he thought of his mother’s advice:
You can be poor and alone but still be nice.
Remember to deal in kindness with others.
For the grace of our Lord the whole world covers.

A tear slid down his old weathered brow
And he wiped it away with a brush of his towel
Although to the world he mattered to none
He knew in his heart he mattered to One.

The love of our Creator covers us all
The power to lift when we suffer a fall
The riches of grace our greatest treasure
Forgiveness and mercy beyond any measure.