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The Ministry of Healing
death. Those who thus give their lives to self-serving are developing
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in themselves, not the attributes of God, but the attributes of the
wicked one.
These men are in need of the gospel. They need to have their eyes
turned from the vanity of material things to behold the preciousness
of the enduring riches. They need to learn the joy of giving, the
blessedness of being co-workers with God.
The Lord bids us, “Charge them that are rich in this world” that
they trust not “in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth
us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in
good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up
in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,
that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19
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It is by no casual, accidental touch that wealthy, world-loving,
world-worshiping souls can be drawn to Christ. These persons are
often the most difficult of access. Personal effort must be put forth
for them by men and women imbued with the missionary spirit,
those who will not fail or be discouraged.
Some are especially fitted to work for the higher classes. These
should seek wisdom from God to know how to reach these persons,
to have not merely a casual acquaintance with them, but by personal
effort and living faith to awaken them to the needs of the soul, to
lead them to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.
Many suppose that in order to reach the higher classes, a manner
of life and method of work must be adopted that will be suited to
their fastidious tastes. An appearance of wealth, costly edifices,
expensive dress, equipage, and surroundings, conformity to worldly
customs, the artificial polish of fashionable society, classical culture,
the graces of oratory, are thought to be essential. This is an error.
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The way of worldly policy is not God’s way of reaching the higher
classes. That which will reach them effectually is a consistent,
unselfish presentation of the gospel of Christ.
The experience of the apostle Paul in meeting the philosophers
of Athens has a lesson for us. In presenting the gospel before the
court of the Areopagus, Paul met logic with logic, science with
science, philosophy with philosophy. The wisest of his hearers
were astonished and silenced. His words could not be controverted.
But the effort bore little fruit. Few were led to accept the gospel.