Bible.com.au: Reading Plan - Caring for Creation

Reflection: The Beggar and the Sultan

There is a well-known story called ‘The Beggar and the Sultan’, which illustrates themes of generosity, perspective, and the importance of valuing what we have. In it, a beggar sat beside the road begging for alms. By midday, hungry, tired and disappointed, he began to pack up his meagre takings. Just then he heard a commotion in the distance – trumpets and the noise of a crowd. This could mean only one thing he reasoned – the Sultan was coming. His mind raced – perhaps he’ll see my plight and help me! Sure enough, the Sultan drew up alongside the beggar. But imagine his sense of shock and outrage when the Sultan asked him to share from his meagre collection! Reluctantly, the beggar picked out three broken, cracked, blemished grains.

Whereupon the Sultan reached into his sac of gems and pulled out three broken, cracked, flawed and useless stones and gave them to the beggar. The beggar immediately realized his mistake, but it was too late to give the Sultan the best of what he had.

As Christians, what can we take from this story?

Perhaps we could see the Sultan as representing our loving and generous heavenly father who created an abundant and bountiful world. Through his creation, God desires to give, bless and provide for humanity.

In contrast, the beggar symbolises humanity’s tendency to take and take without giving back. Yet if this is how humanity approaches creation, with a mindset of consumption rather than stewardship, we risk exhausting the very resources that sustain us. Eventually it can lead to a situation where creation no longer meet our needs and, at times, even becomes hostile to life on earth. This is something I have witnessed first-hand in my work in the environmental and humanitarian spheres, focusing on forest and landscape restoration and helping farmers to become self-sufficient through natural farming approaches.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord for your abundant provision through creation. Help us to be good stewards. May we learn from you and be generous, freely giving back to creation.

Psalms 65:1-13

Psalm 65

For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.

1Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;

to you our vows will be fulfilled.

2You who answer prayer,

to you all people will come.

3When we were overwhelmed by sins,

you forgave our transgressions.

4Blessed are those you choose

and bring near to live in your courts!

We are filled with the good things of your house,

of your holy temple.

5You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,

God our Savior,

the hope of all the ends of the earth

and of the farthest seas,

6who formed the mountains by your power,

having armed yourself with strength,

7who stilled the roaring of the seas,

the roaring of their waves,

and the turmoil of the nations.

8The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;

where morning dawns, where evening fades,

you call forth songs of joy.

9You care for the land and water it;

you enrich it abundantly.

The streams of God are filled with water

to provide the people with grain,

for so you have ordained it.

10You drench its furrows and level its ridges;

you soften it with showers and bless its crops.

11You crown the year with your bounty,

and your carts overflow with abundance.

12The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;

the hills are clothed with gladness.

13The meadows are covered with flocks

and the valleys are mantled with grain;

they shout for joy and sing.

Caring for Creation

Day 2 of 7

NIV

Psalms 65:11

Days

Psalms 65:1-13