Titus 1:2 (NIV): in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time

The story is told of a man who was poor. He lived on rather frugal means, just about getting through each day. Often barely having two square meals a day, and his clothes mostly in tatters. His friends, however, observed a strange habit he had. Every morning, he would go very dutifully to a bank near his house, with his chequebook in hand. Over time, the bank officials who knew exactly why he was there, on seeing him, would call out “all there” even before he asked anything. He would then smile knowingly, say thank you and return to his home, not having carried out any transaction at the bank.

A friend who could contain his curiosity no longer finally confronted him and asked him what his daily non-transaction bank…