Gain that is Loss
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cry of the needy, and said to his servants, “This will I do: I will pull
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down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits
and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods
laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”
This man’s aims were no higher than those of the beasts that
perish. He lived as if there were no God, no heaven, no future life; as
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if everything he possessed were his own, and he owed nothing to God
or man. The psalmist described this rich man when he wrote, “The
fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1
.
This man has lived and planned for self. He sees that the future is
abundantly provided for; there is nothing for him now but to treasure
and enjoy the fruits of his labors. He regards himself as favored above
other men, and takes credit to himself for his wise management. He
is honored by his fellow townsmen as a man of good judgment and a
prosperous citizen. For “men will praise thee, when thou doest well to
thyself.”
Psalm 49:18
.
But “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”
1 Corinthi-
ans 3:19
. While the rich man is looking forward to years of enjoyment,
the Lord is making far different plans. The message comes to this
unfaithful steward, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required
of thee.” Here is a demand that money cannot supply. The wealth he
has treasured can purchase no reprieve. In one moment that which
he has toiled through his whole life to secure becomes worthless to
him. “Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?”
His broad fields and well-filled granaries pass from under his control.
“He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.”
Psalm
39:6
.
The only thing that would be of value to him now he has not
secured. In living for self he has rejected that divine love which would
have flowed out in mercy to his fellow men. Thus he has rejected life.
For God is love, and love is life. This man has chosen the earthly
rather than the spiritual, and with the earthly he must pass away. “Man
that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.”
Psalm 49:20
.
“So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward
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God.” The picture is true for all time. You may plan for merely selfish
good, you may gather together treasure, you may build mansions great
and high, as did the builders of ancient Babylon; but you cannot build