A young man was soon to graduate from college. For many months he had been admiring a sports car in the window of a showroom. Knowing that his father could easily afford it, the excited son told him how much he would love to have it.

As graduation day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car for him. Finally, on the morning of the college ceremony, the father called him into his private study.

“I am so proud to have such a fine son as you,” the father began, “I love you very much.” With these words, he gave a beautifully wrapped gift box.

Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found an impressive-looking, leather-bound Bible, with his own name embossed in gold. A spark of anger flashed in his eyes as the son said, “With all your money, you gave me a Bible?” Feeling betrayed, he stormed out of the house.

Years passed as the young man became a successful businessman. He owned a beautiful home and had a happy family. Often he would remember the graduation morning and think about seeing his father again. He hadn’t spoken to him since that day and was conscious that his father was getting old now.

Before he could resolve on anything, the son received a telegram informing him that his father had passed away and left all possessions to him. He would need to go to the family home immediately and take care of things.

An overwhelming sadness and regret filled the man’s heart when he entered the old house. A quiet hush rested over everything. He began sifting through his father’s documents, organising important papers and discarding letters that were now unimportant. In the middle of his silent work, he spotted the gift-wrapped Bible in a corner of a cupboard. It was just as he had left it years ago.

With tears in his eyes, he opened the book and turned the pages. He noticed that his father had underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11, “Bad as you are, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven, give good things to those who ask Him!” As he read the words, a car key dropped from the back pages of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name – the same dealer selling the sports car he had wanted so much. Also on the tag was the date of his graduation and the words PAID IN FULL.

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