Possessions

Derl G. Keefer

The wives who lived within the walls of Weinsberg Castle in Germany were aware
of the riches it held: gold, silver, jewels — wealth beyond belief.

The day came in 1141 AD when all their treasure was threatened. An enemy army
surrounded the castle and demanded the fortress, the fortune and the lives of
the men inside the walls. There was nothing to do but surrender.

Although the conquering commander had set a condition for the safe release of
all women and children, the wives of Weinsberg refused to leave without having
one of their own conditions met as well. They demanded that they be allowed
to fill their arms with as many possessions as they could carry out with them.
Knowing that the women couldn’t possibly make a dent in the massive fortune,
their request was honored.

When the gates of the castle were finally opened, the army outside was stunned
at the sight. Each woman had carried out her husband. The wives of Weinsberg
truly understood what riches really occupied the castle! (Quoted in the Harvest
Newsletter. Kansas District Church of the Nazarene, Volume LXVII Issue 6,
Dec. 2001-Jan. 2002 by Darrell Bisel)

_________________________

Derl G. Keefer,
Preaching November/December 2002

View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.

Possessions

Darrell Bisel

The wives who lived within the walls of Weinsberg Castle in Germany were aware
of the riches it held: gold, silver, jewels — wealth beyond belief.

Although the conquering commander had set a condition for the safe release of
all women and children, the wives of Weinsberg refused to leave without having
one of their own conditions met as well. They demanded that they be allowed to
fill their arms with as many possessions as they could carry out with them.
Knowing that the women couldn’t possibly make a dent in the massive fortune,
their request was honored.

___________________________
(Quoted in the Harvest
Newsletter. Kansas District Church of the Nazarene, Volume LXVII Issue 6, Dec.
2001-Jan. 2002 by Darrell Bisel)

View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.

Possessions

Robert C. Shannon

Years ago, in a small Tennessee city, there lived a man who did not believe in
banks. Word got around, and one day he was robbed. The culprit was caught and
put on trial. The defense attorney tried to prove that the robbery was in fact
a hoax, a scheme to avoid taxes.

He put the victim of the robbery on the witness stand and said, “Are you
telling this court that you had five thousand dollars of your own money in cash
at home?” The witness answered, “No, I didn’t say that at all. None
of that money was mine. It belonged to God. He was only letting me use it for a
little while.” Later he said that he had to say that because he was under
oath!

Novelist Evelyn Waugh once wrote, “These memories … are my life, for we
posses nothing surely except our memories.” Memories are truly a wonderful
possession. But we possess much more. We do not possess anything on this earth.
All that we have belongs to God. We take care of it for Him. But we do possess
the treasures laid up in Heaven. And we also possess those abiding things:
faith, hope, love.

View more sermon illustrations for inspiration for your next message.