Chapter 94—Deceitfulness of Riches
Some who profess to believe the truth are lacking in discernment
and fail to appreciate moral worth. Persons who boast much of their
fidelity to the cause and talk as though they think they know all that is
worth knowing, are not humble in heart. They may have money and
property, and this is sufficient to give them influence with some; but it
will not raise them one jot in favor with God. Money has power and
sways a mighty influence. Excellence of character and moral worth
are often overlooked if possessed by the poor man. But what does God
care for money, for property? The cattle upon a thousand hills are His.
The world and all that is therein are His. The inhabitants of the earth
are as grasshoppers before Him. Men and property are but as the small
dust of the balance. He is no respecter of persons.
Men of property often look upon their wealth and say: By my
wisdom have I gotten me this wealth. But who gave them power to get
wealth? God has bestowed upon them the ability which they possess,
but instead of giving Him the glory they take it to themselves. He will
prove them and try them, and will bring their glorying to the dust;
He will remove their strength and scatter their possessions. Instead of
a blessing they will realize a curse. An act of wrong or oppression,
a deviation from the right way, should no sooner be tolerated in a
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man who possesses property than in a man who has none. All the
riches that the most wealthy ever possessed are not of sufficient value
to cover the smallest sin before God; they will not be accepted as a
ransom for transgression. Repentance, true humility, a broken heart,
and a contrite spirit alone will be accepted of God. And no man can
have true humility before God unless the same is exemplified before
others. Nothing less than repentance, confession, and forsaking of sin
is acceptable to God.
Many rich men have obtained their wealth by close deal, by advan-
taging themselves and disadvantaging their poorer fellow men or their
brethren; and these very men glory in their shrewdness and keenness
in a bargain. But the curse of God will rest upon every dollar thus
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