The Parable of the Used Car Salesman

And behold it did come to pass that a used car salesman did have many cars to sell, some were of great price, and some were more affordable.  And a young man did come to buy a car.  He saw a beautiful shiny red truck, and desired the truck.  The used car salesman wanted to sell the truck, so he explained that it was not old, did not have any damage, and was impressive in power and durability.

As was the job of the used car salesman he asked this young man about his needs, his desires, and his experience.  This young man explained how he had once owned an old beat up car, and had treated it poorly.  He had wrecked his car, and totaled it.  He could not continue to pay what he owed on that old car and declared bankruptcy.

Now he had a minimum wage job at a fast food joint and he needed a car to get to work.  He liked the fancy big red truck, and he wanted the fun and prestige that could be his.  He had no collateral, but he would agree to the lowest monthly payment and in ten years the car would be paid off.

The used car salesman saw the credit score was 300.  Loans which had been defaulted, promises broken, and missing payments had all been factored into that number.  This young man had one simple request: "I really need this, and I promise I'll do better this time.  I have learned my lessons and I will be more wise from here on.  I will be perfect, but I need this before I can do it.  Will you help me?"

No.   The answer was no.  The used car salesman was not being mean, nor was he treating this young man unfairly.  The used car salesman knew that if he made sales like this he would find himself taking great losses and he would be forced to stop selling cars.  He would not be a used car salesman anymore if he agreed to this type of deal.  His rules about selling cars allowed him be able to sell cars.  The young man's heart was broken.  He could not be trusted with the vehicle and he would not be able to buy the truck.

Each of us comes to our Father in Heaven asking for the great blessings of his kingdom.  We may pray for special help, we may want the divine power for healing or to serve in His kingdom.  We seek the blessings of a family and ask for a small piece of heavenly inventory to join in God's glory.  We seek to be like God and share in the holy work.

Then our Father looks at our record.  It contains all our broken promises, all our unfinished business, all our sins.  We look to Him and plead, "I really need this, and I promise I'll do better this time.  I will be perfect, but I need this before I can do it.  Wilt thou help me?"

No.  The answer is no.  God requires a perfect credit score before you can receive any of his glory.  If you have ever lied, if you have ever shown pride, if you have ever been weak then how can you say it will never happen again?  If God gave you his power, then eventually it would be misused, and the "power of God" would no longer mean you could have perfect faith in it.  God could not allow such a thing and remain God.  God cannot accept us into heaven unless we have never missed any payments - unless we have never sinned.

The young man in the parable did come back.  He came back and bought the truck that his heart desired and felt a fullness of joy.  It was done through his older brother.  His brother had taken many loans, and had made every payment until the loan was completed.  He had paid off credit cards, mortgages, school debt, and bought cars.  Every payment was always made exactly when it was supposed to be for the exact amount agreed.  The brother had a credit score of 750.

The used car salesman told the brother, "You may choose any vehicle you like, and select any of the payment plans you want.  I will sell you anything that I have on the lot."

The young man signed first, promising to pay regularly.  The brother signed under the young man's signature, promising that those payments would not be missed.  The used car salesman knew his business was safe because he could trust the brother who had always kept his word.  The young man drove away in his beautiful red truck with a fullness of joy, and went to work.

The used car salesman in this parable was my father.  I have learned about Christ from my experiences, and my dad's job has affected how I see things from a young age.  The young man was about my age and grew up in my home town.  The truck payments were made on time, and my father learned that there were times when the older brother needed to make the payment while teaching the young man to manage his finances.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23).  I cannot be trusted with the power of God because there have been times when I promised and I did not follow through.  That makes me sad, and I wish to serve the Lord but I know God cannot make exceptions to his rules.  I need Christ to sign his name under mine promising that I will make it to perfection.  The Savior pays for my mistakes, and then teaches me what is right.  "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22).

I am grateful that Christ lived righteous after suffering every temptation.  He didn't just make many loans, he took out every loan possible and paid them all.  He can be trusted with perfect faith.  When Christ says I should be blessed there is no question that it is right.  Every word from the savior will always be true.  It is through Jesus Christ that we receive holy power and divine opportunities.

I really need those blessings, and I promise I'll do better this time.  I will be perfect, but I need His help before I can do it.  I ask for the Savior's help, and he gives it.  I feel the fullness of joy and fill my daily prayers with gratitude.