Faith is Like a Violin.

A parable: The Three Violins.

A wealthy, world-renowned musician is taking a sabbatical and leaves each of his three sons one of his priceless vintage violins. "I'm going away for a while but while I'm gone you may have these fine instruments to use and care for." he tells the young men. They each earnestly and gratefully accept the gift.

After the father leaves the first son carefully handles the masterwork violin and immerses himself in the beautiful music he produces with it. He goes on in the following months to wow the world with its performances. The second son, appreciative of the value of the instrument stores it away in a climate-controlled safe, to protect it from the dangers of the world. The third son carefully places his violin in his room. Later, he decides to show it to his friends, grabs it and tosses it into the back seat of his car, but then forgets about it over the following months. The sun & heat ruin the instrument.

Many months go by then the father returns. "How have my prized instruments served you while I was away?" he inquires of his sons. The first son recounts how he gifted the world with the violin's music. "Well done, my son. You will surely receive your share of the inheritance when I'm gone." The second son tells how he lovingly stored away his violin and preserved it from wear. "Son son son, how could you? That violin is a gift to be shared, it is so wonderful. You will get your inheritance but not the full measure!" The third son unrepentantly presents his violin to his father, the instrument being faded and cracked. Fuming, the father berates him "You wicked son, you have wasted a beautiful gift, and you don't even care. You have lost your inheritance!"

Faith is like these fine violins... it is a gift and it's meant to be practiced and shown and shared, not jealously guarded and hidden away, nor carelessly handled and atrophied. If we let our faith stagnate or whither away our inheritance (eternity in heaven) can be lost.