Once in a bustling city, there lived a successful businessman named Mr. Thompson. He was known for his wisdom, wealth, and willingness to help others. Among his many employees was a man named James, who had fallen on hard times and accumulated a significant debt to Mr. Thompson.
One day, Mr. Thompson decided to settle accounts with his employees. When James was brought before him, the sum of his debt was so enormous that there was no way he could pay it back.
Fearing the loss of his job, his home, and the well-being of his family, James fell to his knees, tears in his eyes. “Please, sir,” he begged, “give me time, and I will pay back everything I owe you.”
Mr. Thompson looked at James with compassion and said, “James, I see your sincerity and your struggle. Your debt is forgiven. You owe me nothing.”
James was overwhelmed with gratitude. He thanked Mr. Thompson profusely and left the office, a new sense of hope and freedom in his heart.
But as James was leaving, he encountered a fellow employee named Robert, who owed him a small amount of money. Seizing Robert by the collar, James demanded, “Pay back what you owe me, now!”
Robert, surprised and frightened, pleaded, “Give me a little more time, James, and I will pay you back.”
But James would not listen. He called security and had Robert escorted out of the building, ensuring that he lost his job.
Word of James’s actions reached Mr. Thompson, who was deeply disappointed. He summoned James back to his office and said, “I forgave you a tremendous debt because you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you have shown the same mercy to your fellow employee?”
James’s face turned pale as he realized the gravity of his mistake.
Mr. Thompson continued, “Because you have not shown mercy, neither will you receive it from me.” And he reversed his decision, reinstating James’s debt and terminating his employment.
James left the office, a heavy weight of regret and loss on his shoulders, understanding too late the importance of extending to others the same forgiveness and compassion he had received.
Moral of the Story: This modern retelling of the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant emphasizes the importance of forgiving others as we have been forgiven. It reminds us that mercy and compassion should be extended to all, reflecting the grace we ourselves have received.
