Shmuel had been a wealthy merchant for some years. But, despite his wealth, he remained the same pious person he had been when he was poor. Never did he forget that it is in G-d we must put our faith.
One Friday night, when Shmuel and his whole family were sitting around the Shabbat table, the maid appeared and said there was a messenger from the governor.
The messenger was called in and apologized for his interruption. He explained that some foreign guests were expected at the governor's house and it was necessary to purchase some rugs from Shmuel's store.
"But this is impossible," protested Shmuel. "It is our holy Sabbath and I never do business on the Sabbath. Please explain to the governor that I will be happy to carry out his request tomorrow evening as soon as the Sabbath is over."
Upon leaving, the messenger hinted that there would be trouble for everyone if Shmuel did not open his store.
Shmuel turned to his family and said, "My dears, let us not forget that tonight is Shabbat. Do not look so worried. Are we not told that just as the Jews keep Shabbat, Shabbat keeps the Jews?" And with that, he began singing a Shabbat melody.
A little while later, the maid entered the dining room once again to tell Shmuel that the messenger was back. This time, Shmuel left the room to meet with him. The messenger handed Shmuel a note which read: "Dear Sir, I hardly need to point out to you that I am one of your best customers. Considering my position, you also know that I have a great deal of influence. I am willing to give you a larger sum than you would normally charge, but I must have the rugs immediately. Since you say that you do not do business on your Sabbath, I will not ask you for the account now, but I must insist that you send the merchandise to me with my messenger. You may state your own prices when we clarify the bill after the Sabbath. Should you choose to disregard my request, I will stop doing business with you and encourage my friends to do the same."
Shmuel looked up after he finished reading the letter. "My answer remains the same as before," he told the messenger. "If the governor cannot wait until after the Sabbath, I must refuse his request. Please tell the governor that, though I hold him and his orders in the highest esteem, I must esteem G-d's orders still more."
There was little sleep or rest for Shmuel and his family that Sabbath. Disaster seemed to hang in the air.
As soon as Shabbat was over, the messenger arrived back at Shmuel's home with a request for him to appear at court right away. On his way to the governor's mansion, Shmuel thought to himself, "Why should I imagine that I am worthy to be a rich man forever? I was poor once, I can be poor again. Whatever the case, G-d will take care of us."
When Shmuel arrived at the mansion, he was astonished to see the governor greeting him with a broad smile and outstretched arms. "Welcome my friend," the governor told Shmuel. While leading Shmuel into his private study, the governor explained the previous day's events. "Some foreign dignitaries visited me this weekend. One of them stated that all Jews think about is money and how to make more of it. Nothing is more sacred to Jews than wealth, he said. I was the only one who denied his accusations. So I told him that I could prove that his charges were false. And that, dear friend," said the governor, patting Shmuel on the shoulder, "is why I sent you that urgent order by special messenger.
"Now, you have shown that I was correct. But more importantly you have shown those men that the Jews value their religion above all material gain. I will see to it that all of my friends give you their business in the future. Certainly a man who puts his values and beliefs before money and profit will deal with them fairly."
