Russell Conwell was a 19th-century attorney, philanthropist and writer, who later became a Baptist minister and founder of Temple University in Philadelphia. Conwell was known for his eloquent sermons, and the stories he often told to illustrate spiritual and life principles.
One of his most acclaimed essays is titled “Acres of Diamonds.” It was written before Conwell became a pastor, and published in book form in 1890 by the John Y. Huber Company of Philadelphia. He delivered this message over 5,000 times around the world starting in 1900 and until his death in 1925. According to Conwell, the inspiration for the famous essay occurred in 1869, when he was traveling in the Middle East. It was told by an Arab guide hired by his expedition in Baghdad.
The story is about an ancient Persian, Ali Hafed, who owned a large farm, where he had orchards, grain fields and many gardens. He was wealthy and content. One day, however, he visited a wise man from the East, who told him all about diamonds and how wealthy Hafed would be if he owned a diamond mine. That night, “Ali Hafed went to bed a poor man,” writes Conwell. He became discontent with his possessions, and started craving for a mine of diamonds. It wasn’t long until Hafed sold his farm, left his family in charge of a neighbor, and started searching for the precious stones.
Hafed traveled around the world, squandering his wealth in his quest for more. Finally, broken and despaired, Ali Hafed committed suicide, never finding the mine that he so longed for.
One day, the man who purchased Ali Hafed’s farm led his camel to drink water from a brook. As the camel lowered its head to drink, the farmer saw a light flashing from the sand beneath. He reached down, pulling out a stone. Holding it in his hands, the stone started reflecting all the hues of the rainbow. The farmer had accidently discovered the mine of Golcanda, the most affluent diamond mine in history.
Ali Hafed died in a strange land, poor and desperate, while the wealth that he searched for was right under his nose, so to speak.
The Christmas season is upon us, sending most of us into a frenzy of activities and shopping. I read numerous blogs every Christmas season, written by frazzled moms, filled with good advice and designed to legitimately attempt to help us stress less and truly enjoy the “most wonderful time of the year.” For Christians, it’s a time to celebrate God’s love to mankind through Messiah’s birth, and our love for each other.
This year, however, as I read Ali Hafed’s story, I could not help but think about how the holiday season has changed since my childhood, when life was simpler, and people were content with less.
Even though my father was an attorney, our Christmas list was comprised of one or two items. We counted the days to open the gifts we longed for all year, and cherished them for months or years to come. A doll. A bicycle. A remote-control car. Simple gifts that were like diamonds to us.
Today, Christmas calls us to exchange perfectly good cars for the latest models, smart phones that are still working for newer ones. Our children feel entitled to the latest video games, and we rush to oblige.
In the meantime, family get togethers are often filled with tension, because relationships are neglected all year. Bigger homes are jam-packed with trinkets, and yet, discontentment reigns. Many of us have more than ever before, and yet, we go to bed poor.
In an attempt to find that diamond mine, we forget that the lush land that God has already given us has everything we need. We just need to stop looking elsewhere, believing we can find happiness in bigger, newer or better things.
I am not rich, by any stretch of imagination. Not as the world sees it.
Oh, but I am! So, this holiday season, I am determined to cultivate the land God has given me, and find contentment, right where I am. For just as in Hafed’s story, the greatest gifts I’ll ever need are already right under my nose: my Savior’s love, my precious family, and faithful friends.
This article was published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) on Saturday – December 9, 2017.
[bctt tweet=”Could it be that the best gifts you could ever ask for this Christmas are already right under your nose? Read Patricia’s column for the @AJC – The Atlanta Journal Constitution ” username=”PatHolbrook”]
I love this post and this story which I had never heard until today. I think that because you are not American, you share a perspective that is sorely needed. I can relate to many of the things you share.
May God continue to bless you.
Thank you so much, Nylse! I always appreciate your comments! Have a blessed week,
I love this post and this story which I had never heard until today. I think that because you are not American, you share a perspective that is sorely needed. I can relate to many of the things you share.
May God continue to bless you.
Thank you so much, Nylse! I always appreciate your comments! Have a blessed week,
Thank you so much – this post was right on and a good reminder!
I am so glad, Julia! Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me with your comment.
Blessings to you!
Thank you so much – this post was right on and a good reminder!
I am so glad, Julia! Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me with your comment.
Blessings to you!
Just a few verses after the famous passage about “the secret to contentment in Scripture” is this “my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus!” -Ph 4:19 We are rich in Him! And have every reason for contentment. So thankful for this story you’ve shared and the truth of simple contentment.
Thank you, sweet friend! I love Philippians 4! We do have so much to be grateful for this Christmas… and above all – we know the Baby in the manger as our Lord and Savior. That’s more than enough to smile about!
Love,
Just a few verses after the famous passage about “the secret to contentment in Scripture” is this “my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus!” -Ph 4:19 We are rich in Him! And have every reason for contentment. So thankful for this story you’ve shared and the truth of simple contentment.
Thank you, sweet friend! I love Philippians 4! We do have so much to be grateful for this Christmas… and above all – we know the Baby in the manger as our Lord and Savior. That’s more than enough to smile about!
Love,
Yes, we have everything and more than everything when we have the love of Jesus in our hearts, Patricia. I love this quote from C. S. Lewis: The man who has everything and has God has no more than the man who has nothing but God.
Blessings, and Merry Christmas!
Oh, I love that, Martha! Thanks for sharing this quote … and thank you for always stopping by and taking the time to encourage me on the blog posts. You are a gem!
Blessings,
Yes, we have everything and more than everything when we have the love of Jesus in our hearts, Patricia. I love this quote from C. S. Lewis: The man who has everything and has God has no more than the man who has nothing but God.
Blessings, and Merry Christmas!
Oh, I love that, Martha! Thanks for sharing this quote … and thank you for always stopping by and taking the time to encourage me on the blog posts. You are a gem!
Blessings,
Great observations of the direction our culture has gone. And, what a great story!
You’re right! We already have more blessings than we realize. God requires of us to be content. He says that covetousness is idolatry. (Colossians 3:4) We cannot be at peace with the Prince of Peace as long as we are engaged in idolatry instead of surrendering to the authority of the One from whom comes “every good and every perfect gift”. (James 1:17)
Great observations of the direction our culture has gone. And, what a great story!
You’re right! We already have more blessings than we realize. God requires of us to be content. He says that covetousness is idolatry. (Colossians 3:4) We cannot be at peace with the Prince of Peace as long as we are engaged in idolatry instead of surrendering to the authority of the One from whom comes “every good and every perfect gift”. (James 1:17)
That is an unforgettable story and what a needful lesson! I love it. Thanks for sharing!
That is an unforgettable story and what a needful lesson! I love it. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I agree the greatest gift is right under our nose yet we many times miss it. Thank you for the encouragement to keep going back to Jesus.
Yes, I agree the greatest gift is right under our nose yet we many times miss it. Thank you for the encouragement to keep going back to Jesus.
Wonderful message! Love you, Chasity Dedman
Wonderful message! Love you, Chasity Dedman