The Depressing Debt
A man came to me with worry written across his face. As soon as he settled himself, he burst into bitter tears. I was wondering what great tragedy had befallen him.
He cried for some long moments. When he finally composed himself, I gently asked what was troubling him so. He answered that for the past year, he had a debt of tens of thousands of shekels hovering over his head.
I felt sorry for the poor man, and handed him the entire amount. Now he could repay the debt and be at peace. He left my room a different man.
I was pleased that I had been chosen as the emissary of Hashem to give this man the money. Yet I was troubled by this man’s ever-consuming worry over his debt.
He should have realized that the test was from Hashem. The One Who brought his problems upon him would rescue him from them. As long as he thought that he alone was responsible to pay up his debts, he did not merit salvation. Only after casting his burden upon Hashem would he be released from it.
