Bob the Poor Man

In the small town of Banff, Canada lived a kind person, whose name was Bob. He cared for the people around him, lived with a pure conscience, and worked hard. Every day he thanked God for each blessing, which he received from his Creator.

Bob spent as little as possible on his bare necessities, food, a place to sleep, and his transportation to and from work. In some cultures, they would say that Bob did not spend a dime. Although his income was just as well as those around him, he did not wear fancy clothes or drive a fancy car.

People looked at him and thought he was poor. They knew of him as “Bob, the poor man.” They wondered where he worked and why he would not get a better job. When he was out of earshot, they laughed at the car he drove. Some did not befriend him for reputation's sake. For this reason, Bob only had one true friend, whose name was Tim.

Bob and Tim worked side by side, for the same employer, in the same profession, for the same pay. Tim judged others based on their heart and not their pocketbook. Although they had their differences, Tim appreciated his friend's look on life and their rare friendship grew stronger as the years went by.

Unlike Bob, Tim lived to the fullest. Taking each pleasure which money has to offer. His view on money was that if it was his, he could use it as he pleased. He did not hold back. For this reason, Tim had wealthy friends and a high-standing image.

On a particular Saturday morning, as the early sun’s rays were painting the horizon and the two friends were setting up their fishing lines, for they loved to fish, Tim let out a heavy sigh. The invisible weight on his shoulders was clearly seen by his friend, who would not let the matter pass. Reluctantly, Tim revealed that his expensive car had broken down and he had no money to repair or replace the needed transportation. This was a true hardship, for Tim had a wife and children whom he supported. Without hesitation and to Tim’s surprise, Bob offered to pay for the repairs. Immediately regret filled Tim’s heart and inside, he repented for revealing such a hardship to such a poor friend. Finally, Bob told him that he had saved up twenty thousand dollars and in fact was not poor at all. Wide-eyed, Tim looked at his friend, asking where he had inherited such wealth. Bob, who now felt uneasy for revealing such a secret, explained that ever since he began working, he simply set aside most of his income in a savings account. “All this wealth, and here you are looking like a poor man!” exclaimed Tim, “I am friends with the wealthiest man in town! I will keep this secret, but please, lend me five thousand dollars and I will pay it all back, with interest.” The verbal agreement was confirmed with a handshake and both friends were relieved and happy to have each other’s company as they focused their eyes on the calm ripples of water, watching for sudden movement.

As months went by, knowing the secret of Bob’s wealth, Tim paid him the interest and figured his friend could wait a bit longer to receive the five thousand back. Over time, Tim was accustomed to making the monthly interest payment to Bob. When Bob offered to forgive him the five thousand, Tim would not have it. Bob explained that the interest payments accumulated over time, have well exceeded the debt. Tim realized his mistake and said that he would increase his monthly payment by ten dollars in order to begin paying off the debt. Bob said that he would forgive him the debt for friendship’s sake, but Tim, being a man of his word, would not agree to such pity. Thus, Bob’s savings account was replenished and, in addition to the interest payment, the debt was now being paid off, ten meager dollars per month.

Bob’s secret of wealth clandestinely and carefully spread among a few of Tim’s other wealthy friends, who came to Bob in times of hardship. These borrowers were respected wealthy folk who could not afford to lose their standing in the community and who dared not reveal that they were acquainted with the poor man.

Both Bob and Tim stayed friends for life.

Tim eventually paid off the five thousand dollar debt but had a few more loans on account, for emergencies have their way into each life, and life seemed harsh, for money was hard to come by.

Bob purchased a home, upgraded his car, invested in a real estate property, and eventually went on a year-long missions trip with his wife as the steady flow of income came from various investments.

Both friends had happy wives.

By Vera Chosenko

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Proverbs 22:7

Owe no one anything except to love one another...

​Romans 13:8