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Chapter 14—Ministry to the Rich
Cornelius, the Roman centurion, was a man of wealth and of
noble birth. His position was one of trust and honor. A heathen
by birth, training, and education, through contact with the Jews he
had gained a knowledge of the true God, and he worshiped Him,
showing the sincerity of his faith by compassion to the poor. He
gave “alms to the people, and prayed to God always.”
Acts 10:2
,
A.R.V.
Cornelius had not a knowledge of the gospel as revealed in the
life and death of Christ, and God sent a message direct from heaven
to him, and by another message directed the apostle Peter to visit
and instruct him. Cornelius was not united with the Jewish church,
and he would have been looked upon by the rabbis as a heathen and
unclean; but God read the sincerity of his heart, and sent messengers
from His throne to unite with His servant on earth in teaching the
gospel to this officer of Rome.
So today God is seeking for souls among the high as well as
the low. There are many like Cornelius, men whom He desires
to connect with His church. Their sympathies are with the Lord’s
people. But the ties that bind them to the world hold them firmly. It
requires moral courage for these men to take their position with the
lowly ones. Special effort should be made for these souls, who are
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in so great danger because of their responsibilities and associations.
Much is said concerning our duty to the neglected poor; should
not some attention be given to the neglected rich? Many look upon
this class as hopeless, and they do little to open the eyes of those,
who, blinded and dazed by the glitter of earthly glory, have lost
eternity out of their reckoning. Thousands of wealthy men have gone
to their graves unwarned. But indifferent as they may appear, many
among the rich are soul-burdened. “He that loveth silver shall not
be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase.”
He that says to fine gold, “Thou art my confidence,” has “denied the
God that is above.” “None of them can by any means redeem his
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