Chapter 48—The Sin of Covetousness
Dear Brother P:
I would make one more effort to warn you to be in earnest to gain
the kingdom. Warning after warning has been given you, which you
have not heeded. But, oh, if you would even now repent of your past
wrong course and turn to the Lord, it might not be too late for wrongs
to be righted. All the powers of your mind have been devoted to money
getting. You have worshiped money. It has been your god. The rod
of God is hanging over you. His judgments may overtake you at any
moment and you go down to the grave unready, your garments spotted
and stained with the corruptions of the world. What is your record
in heaven? Every dollar that you have accumulated has been like an
extra link in the chain that fastens you to this poor world. Your passion
to get gain has been continually strengthening. The burden of your
thoughts has been how you could obtain more means. You have had a
fearful experience, which should be a warning to those who allow the
love of the world to take possession of their souls. You have become
mammon’s slave. What will you say when the Master shall demand
of you an account of your stewardship? You have allowed the love of
money getting to become the ruling passion of your life. You are as
much intoxicated with the love of money as is the inebriate with his
liquor.
Jesus has pleaded that the unfruitful tree might be spared a little
longer; and I make one more plea for you to put forth no faint effort,
but a most earnest one, for the kingdom. Rescue yourself from the
snare of Satan before the word, “He is joined to idols, let him alone,”
shall be spoken in regard to you in heaven. All money lovers, like
yourself, will one day cry in bitter anguish: “Oh, the deceitfulness of
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riches! I have sold my soul for money.” Your only hope now is to make
no feeble move, but to turn square about. Resolutely call to your aid
the will power that you have so long exercised in the wrong direction,
and now work in the opposite direction. This is the only way for you
to overcome covetousness.
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