A YOUNG man went to visit his grandfather. When the time came for him to leave, the old man said, "Tom, I may not see you again before I die so I'd like to give you some money and a Bible."

Tom thanked him and went back to his home. He put the Bible in a cupboard and quickly spent the money!

The years passed. Tom married and had a family. Sadly, through drink, he lost his job and got into debt. Eventually, his wife left him and took the children.

Depressed and lonely, Tom decided to drown his sorrows in drink. He knew he still had a bottle in the cupboard but as he opened the door, his eyes fell on the Bible. In a flash, his whole miserable life came before him. He knew he must decide there and then either to empty the bottle or to read the Bible. A battle raged within but he grasped the Bible and immediately a deep peace filled his heart. He took it down and thumbed through its pages. To his amazement, he discovered a £5 note at the beginning of Genesis, then another in Exodus! With pounding heart he raced through the 66 books finding £5 in each one. Finally in Revelation, there was a letter addressed to him!

The letter began, "Dear Tom, I'm glad you opened my Bible. Please read Proverbs chapter 16 verse 16 and 2 Corinthians chapter 8 verse 9."

Through his tears Tom read, "How much better it is to get wisdom than gold" and "You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor that you ... might become rich."

Tom turned to Christ, paid off his debts and was re-united with his family.