The Pious Man and the Atheist (Prayer Pay-Off ?)

The Pious Man and the Atheist

A very religious man lived right next door to an
atheist. While the religious one prayed day in,
day out, and was constantly on his knees in
communion with his Lord, the atheist never even looked
twice at a church.

However, the atheist's life was good,
he had a well-paying job and a beautiful wife,
and his children were healthy and good-natured,
whereas the pious man's job was strenuous and his
wages were low, his wife was getting fatter every day
and his kids wouldn't give him the time of the day.

So one day, deep in prayer as usual, the pious man
raised his eyes towards heaven and asked:

“Oh God, I honor you every day,
I ask your advice for every problem
and confess to you my every sin.
Yet my neighbor, who doesn't even believe in you
and certainly never prays,
seems blessed with every happiness,
while I go poor and suffer many an indignity.
Why is this?”

And a great voice was heard from above…

“BECAUSE HE DOESN'T BOTHER ME ALL THE TIME !!!!”