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The Ministry of Health and Healing
of the enduring riches. They need to learn the joy of giving, the
blessedness of being co-workers with God.
The Lord bids us, “Command those who are rich in this present
age” not to trust “in uncertain riches but in the living God, who
gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be
rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for
themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may
lay hold on eternal life.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19
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It is not by casual, accidental touch that wealthy, world-loving,
worldworshiping people will be drawn to Christ. Often these are the
most difficult to get access to. Personal effort must be put forth for
them by men and women imbued with the missionary spirit, those
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who will not fail or be discouraged.
Working for the Higher Classes
Some are especially fitted to work for the higher classes. These
should seek wisdom from God to know how to reach these persons,
not to have 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 buildings,
stylish dress, expensive cars 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.
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.
Henceforth Paul adopted a different method of work. He avoided