"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights" (James 1:17). The Bible is full of God's desire to bless his people, yet many of us live as though his generosity were small and grudging.
This story about blessing, retold in our own words, is a parable told by Bruce Wilkinson. It ends with a takeaway for sermons or reflection.
Stories in this collection:
The Warehouse of Unclaimed Blessings
A parable told by Bruce Wilkinson in his book The Prayer of Jabez. We retell it in our own words.
Have you heard the story of Mr Jones, who died and went to heaven?
When he arrived, St Peter was waiting for him at the gates, and he offered to show Mr Jones around. Mr Jones was overwhelmed. The streets shone like gold, beautiful mansions gleamed in the sunlight, and choirs of angels sang more beautifully than anything he had ever heard.
Part of the way through the tour, Mr Jones's attention was caught by a strange-looking building. It was an enormous warehouse, with no windows and only one door. It seemed an odd thing to find in heaven.
You don't really want to see what's in there, said St Peter.
But Mr Jones did. He hurried across the lawn, pushed open the door and stepped inside. Row after row of shelves stretched from the floor to the ceiling, and on them were stacked thousands upon thousands of white boxes, each with a name written on it.
Is there one with my name on it? Mr Jones asked eagerly. He rushed down to the J aisle and searched until he found it. He opened the box, and his mouth fell open. His heart began to race.
What are all these wonderful things? he asked St Peter. Are these the good things waiting for me, now that I'm in heaven?
No, St Peter replied gently. These are all the blessings God wanted to give you while you were alive on earth, but which you never received.
A sad look came over Mr Jones's face. He looked down into the box, then up at St Peter, then back at the box again. Why? he asked. Why did I miss out on all these blessings?
Well, said St Peter, that's a long story.
In Wilkinson's telling, the heart of the answer is simple. Mr Jones had never asked. He had never really believed that God wanted to bless him, so he had never opened his hands to receive what God was offering.
Takeaway: "You do not have because you do not ask God" (James 4:2). God's blessings are not rewards we earn but gifts he loves to give. Ask, and keep your hands open to receive.
Source: Adapted from Bruce Wilkinson, The Prayer of Jabez (Multnomah, 2000).
Final thoughts
A warehouse full of unopened gifts. It is a gentle warning not to live as though God were stingy, and an invitation to come to him boldly and gratefully.
For related stories, see our stories about prayer and stories about gratitude.
What blessing might God be waiting for you to ask for?
More stories you may like:
These stories are retold in our own words for teaching and reflection. Sources are credited under each story.