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Chapter 14—Ministry to the Rich
Cornelius, the Roman centurion, was a man of wealth and noble
birth. His position was one of trust and honor. Though 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 generously to the people, and prayed to God always.”
Acts 10:2
.
But Cornelius had no knowledge of the gospel as revealed in
the life and death of Christ. So God sent a message direct from
heaven to him and also directed the apostle Peter to visit and instruct
him. Cornelius was not united with the Jewish church and 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 and women 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 people to take their
position with the lowly ones. Special effort should be made for these
souls who are in so great danger because of their responsibilities and
associations.
Much is said concerning our duty to the neglected poor, but
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 left eter-
nity out of their reckoning. Thousands of wealthy people have gone
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to their graves unwarned. But indifferent as they may appear, many
among the rich are soul-burdened. “He who loves silver will not be
satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase.”
He that says to fine gold, ““‘You are my confidence,”’” has “‘denied
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