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Christ’s Object Lessons
bring perplexities and burdens. To the rich come fear of loss and a
multitude of anxious cares. Many of Christ’s followers forget the
lesson He has bidden us learn from the flowers of the field. They do
not trust to His constant care. Christ cannot carry their burden, because
they do not cast it upon Him. Therefore the cares of life, which should
drive them to the Saviour for help and comfort, separate them from
Him.
Many who might be fruitful in God’s service become bent on ac-
quiring wealth. Their whole energy is absorbed in business enterprises,
and they feel obliged to neglect things of a spiritual nature. Thus they
separate themselves from God. We are enjoined in the Scriptures to be
“not slothful in business.”
Romans 12:11
. We are to labor that we may
impart to him who needs. Christians must work, they must engage
in business, and they can do this without committing sin. But many
become so absorbed in business that they have no time for prayer, no
time for the study of the Bible, no time to seek and serve God. At
times the longings of the soul go out for holiness and heaven; but
there is no time to turn aside from the din of the world to listen to the
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majestic and authoritative utterances of the Spirit of God. The things
of eternity are made subordinate, the things of the world supreme. It
is impossible for the seed of the word to bring forth fruit; for the life
of the soul is given to nourish the thorns of worldliness.
And many who are working with a very different purpose, fall
into a like error. They are working for others’ good; their duties are
pressing, their responsibilities are many, and they allow their labor to
crowd out devotion. Communion with God through prayer and a study
of His word is neglected. They forget that Christ has said, “Without
Me ye can do nothing.”
John 15:5
. They walk apart from Christ, their
life is not pervaded by His grace, and the characteristics of self are
revealed. Their service is marred by desire for supremacy, and the
harsh, unlovely traits of the unsubdued heart. Here is one of the chief
secrets of failure in Christian work. This is why its results are often so
meager.
“The deceitfulness of riches.” The love of riches has an infatuat-
ing, deceptive power. Too often those who possess worldly treasure
forget that it is God who gives them power to get wealth. They say,
“My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.”
Deuteronomy 8:17
. Their riches, instead of awakening gratitude to