The man was delighted to receive the money. He knew what the Bible contained and was not a believer so he put it on a high shelf to gather dust. He gambled away all of his inheritance and more, became a pauper and for the next fifty years barely had enough for the next meal.

Finally he had to move in with relatives. When cleaning out his rented room he reached the dusty old Bible off the shelf and as he took it down a $100 bill fluttered to the floor. He dropped the Bible and found a bill between every page. The man had lived as a pauper because of his prejudice. He thought he knew what the Bible “contained”. The treasure he missed was not the money but in the Word of God.

The Word of God explains how we lost our relationship with God because of sin, and how Jesus Christ restores that lost relationship.

Have you ever felt hopeless? Do you want a new and sure hope? Then watch this wonderful free online video called "The Hope" now:

Sin means breaking God's Law (Ten Commandments), have you ever?:

1. Failed to put God first.
2. Made yourself an idol of any kind.
3. Misused the name of God
4. Failed to keep one day in seven holy
5. Failed to honour your parents
6. Murdered (or been angry without cause)
7. Committed adultery (or lusted)
8. Stolen anything (value is irrelevant)
9. Lied (even a white lie or fib)
10. Coveted (wanted what others have)

Try the Smarty Face Game or continue reading:

Jesus said "...love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" "...Love your neighbour as yourself" and "...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Mark 12:30, Mark 12:31, Matthew 5:44

Disobeying God's Laws (sin) separates us from His loving care. JESUS SAID "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Ultimately we all face God's judgement resulting in either eternity in heaven or eternity in hell. "Just as man is destined to die once and after that to face judgment” Hebrews 9:27

We all need the Saviour, Jesus Christ, the only one without sin. Jesus took the punishment for your sin on the Cross. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us” Romans 5:8

We broke God's Law and Jesus paid our fine. He suffered and died on the Cross, then rose from the dead, defeating death. JESUS IS ALIVE in heaven right now and promised he is the only way to God and heaven "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." John 14:6 If we truly repent (want to turn from sin) and trust in Jesus alone for our eternal salvation, God will forgive us and grant us the gift of eternal life. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Jesus warned people on many occasions about the reality of Hell and how to avoid going there. He willingly died on the Cross to free you from the chains of sin that will bind you and hold you captive. Repent and put your trust in Jesus and enjoy a relationship with the Living God. Here is a prayer you could say:

Heavenly Father.
I am sorry that I have sinned against you.
Please forgive me for all the things I have done wrong
(at this point confess the things you have done wrong).
I know Your son Jesus died on the Cross to pay for my sin.
I believe Jesus rose from the dead and is alive in heaven.
I want to turn from sin and follow Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
Jesus please change me into the person you want me to be.
Let your will be done.
I ask this in the name of my wonderful Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Read the Bible and obey what you read. Find a local church that can help you in your Christian walk.

We no longer have to be slaves to sin but can experience freedom in Christ. The Bible explains that we cannot be saved by our own efforts, we need to ask God to save us. If we turn from our sin and follow the Lord Jesus Christ then the Holy Spirit will help us to change our heart and our desires:
"For by grace you have been saved through faith and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against which there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23