Once upon a time there lived a pious man, who was very poor. One day, the Prophet Elijah appeared to him in the guise of a merchant and gave him two coins to engage in business, and he became very rich. His great wealth, however, and extensive commerce, caused him to forget his goodness and piety.

The Prophet Elijah came to him again and took away the two coins, and the pious man became very poor, having lost all his money. No one knew where the money had disappeared. The pious man wept bitterly and grieved for the loss of his wealth. Then

the Prophet Elijah appeared again to the pious man and said to him: "Swear to me that if I return to you the two coins, you will continue to live in piety and not give yourself up to trade."

The pious man gave his promise, and Elijah gave him back the two coins, which made him rich again.

The moral is that when God grants a man great riches, he must not turn away from Him, and he will maintain himself in great honor.