The Old Mansion
THE OLD MANSION
Read 1 Samuel 16:6-12.
“I can hardly wait to see the old mansion!” exclaimed Ashley. She and her family were on their way to visit Grandma and Grandpa, who had recently become caretakers of a large estate. As they drove, Ashley talked about her day. “There’s a new girl in my class—her name is Addie—and her clothes are totally not with it!” declared Ashley.
“What does it matter if she doesn’t wear the latest fashions?” her brother Aiden asked. “What she’s like is more important than what she wears.”
“Oh, you just—” began Ashley, but Mom cut her off.
“Aiden is right, Ashley,” said Mom.
Several hours later, Dad turned down an overgrown lane that led to a large old house. Ashley frowned. “This can’t be the right place!” she exclaimed. “This looks more like a dump than a mansion!” But when her grandparents welcomed them inside, Ashley could hardly believe her eyes. The floors glistened, and carpeted steps curved up to the second floor. “Oh, wow!” she exclaimed. “I can’t believe how nice this is! The outside looks so run down.”
“Yes,” said Grandpa. “The place is being restored, but the firm that was hired for the outside work can’t begin until next month.” He smiled. “This house is a good example of why we shouldn’t judge by appearance.”
“We talked about that on our way over here,” said Mom. “We sometimes forget that God says the heart of a person is much more important than how they look or dress.”
Ashley looked around at the beautiful house and then out the window to the overgrown front yard. Mom’s right, she admitted to herself. I did judge Addie by the way she looks on the outside, and that was wrong. When I get back to school, I’ll try to find out what she’s really like.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you reject people because of the way they look? Remember, God says it’s the inside that counts. Think about someone you know who’s left out because of their appearance. Will you be a friend to that person? Do it for Jesus.
TO MEMORIZE:
Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.
John 7:24, NIV
DON’T JUDGE BY APPEARANCE.
From the book
