THE BREAD BASKET

He was Europe's 350-pound wrestling champ a little over two generations ago. His name was Yussif, but people called him the Terrible Turk because of his massive size and awesome strength. After he won the championship in Europe, he sailed to the United States to contend with our champ - Strangler Lewis - a much smaller man who weighed just a shade over 200 pounds.

Strangler Lewis had a simple plan for defeating his opponents. He'd put his arm around the neck of his competitor and cut off the oxygen at the Adam's apple. Many an opponent had passed out in the ring with Strangler's tactics. The problem Lewis had when it came to fighting the Terrible Turk was that the European giant didn't have a neck! He just went from his head down to those massive shoulders. In the ring, Strangler Lewis couldn't even get a hold, so it wasn't long before Yussif flopped Lewis down on the mat and pinned him.

After winning the championship, the Terrible Turk demanded that every bit of his $5000 prize money be given him in gold. After he shaped the championship belt around his vast, equator-like middle, he stuffed the gold into the belt and boarded the next ship back to Europe. He was elated because not only did he possess America's glory, but he possessed her gold as well. He had won it all - except immortality!

Yussif set sail on the SS Bourgogne. In the middle of the Atlantic, it sank! The Terrible Turk went over the side with his gold still strapped around his waist. The added weight was too much for Yussif, and he sank like a heavy anchor before crew members could get to him with lifeboats. He was never seen again!

The writer of Proverbs wisely wrote: "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle" (Proverbs 23:5 NIV). The Apostle Paul echoed a similar admonition: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Timothy 6:17 NIV).