Choosing Earthly Treasure
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unto the Lord, use your talents of means and influence for His glory,
and send your treasure before you to heaven, you will not meet with a
total loss.
The great conflagrations and the disasters by sea and land that have
visited our country were the special providences of God, a warning of
what is about to come upon the world. God would show man that He
can kindle upon his idols a fire that water cannot quench. The great
general conflagration is but just ahead, when all this wasted labor of
life will be swept away in a night and day. The treasure laid up in
heaven will be safe. No thief can approach nor moth corrupt it.
A young man came to Christ and said: “Good Master, what good
thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Jesus bade him keep the
commandments. He returned answer: Lord, “All these things have I
kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Jesus looked with love upon
the young man, and faithfully pointed out to him his deficiency in
keeping the commandments. He did not love his neighbor as himself.
Christ showed him his true character. His selfish love of riches was a
defect, which, if not removed, would debar him from heaven. “If thou
wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.” Christ
would have him understand that He required nothing of him more than
He Himself had experienced. All He asked was that he should follow
His example.
Christ left His riches and glory, and became poor, that man through
His poverty might be made rich. He now requires him for the sake of
these riches to yield earthly things and secure heaven. Christ knew
that while the affections were upon worldly treasure, they would be
withdrawn from God; therefore He said to the lawyer: “Go and sell
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that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in
heaven: and come and follow Me.” How did he receive the words of
Christ? Was he rejoiced that he could secure the heavenly treasure?
He was very sorrowful, for he had great possessions. To him riches
were honor and power. The great amount of his treasure made such a
disposal of it seem like an impossibility.
Here is the danger of riches to the avaricious man. The more
he gains, the harder it is for him to be generous. To diminish his
wealth is like parting with life. Rather than do this, he turns from
the attractions of the immortal reward, in order to retain and increase