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davym
Member



Joined: 2007/5/22
Posts: 326


 Wealth

WEALTH!

Timothy Shay Arthur, 1856


"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs!" 1 Timothy 6:7-10

The error of life into which men most readily fall — is the pursuit of wealth as the highest good of existence. While riches command respect, win position, and secure comfort — it is expected that they will be regarded by all classes with a strong desire. But the undue reverence which is everywhere manifested for wealth — the prestige which is conceded to it, the homage which is paid to it, the perpetual worship which is offered to it — all tend to magnify its desirableness, and awaken longings for its possession in the minds of those born without wealth.

In society, as at present observed, the acquisition of money would seem to be the height of human aim — the great object of living, to which all other purposes are made subordinate!
Money, which exalts the lowly — and sheds honor upon the exalted;
money, which makes sin appear goodness — and gives to viciousness the show of chastity;
money, which silences evil report — and opens wide the mouth of praise;
money, which constitutes its possessor an oracle — to whom men listen with deference;
money, which makes deformity beautiful — and sanctifies crime;
money, which lets the guilty go unpunished — and wins forgiveness for wrong;
money, which makes manhood and old age respectable — and is commendation, surety, and good name for the young —
How shall it be gained? by what schemes shall it gathered in? by what sacrifice shall it secured?

These are the questions which absorb the mind — the practical answerings of which engross the life of men. The schemes are too often those of fraud, and outrage upon the sacred obligations of being; the sacrifice, loss of the highest moral sense, the destruction of the purest susceptibilities of nature, the neglect of internal life and development, the utter and sad perversion of the true purposes of existence.

Money is valued beyond its worth — it has gained a power vastly above its deserving. Wealth . . .
is courted so slavishly,
is flattered so servilely,
is so influential in molding opinions and judgment,
has such a weight in the estimation of character —
that men regard its acquisition as the most prudent aim of their endeavors, and its possession as absolute enjoyment and honor, rather than the means of honorable, useful, and happy life.

While riches are thus over-estimated, and hold such power in the community, that men will . . .
forego ease,
endure toil,
sacrifice social pleasures,
and abandon principle —
for the speedy acquirement of property!

Money is not regarded as the means of living — but as the object of life. All nobler ends will be neglected, in the eager haste to be rich. No higher pursuit will be recognized, than the pursuit of gold — no attainment deemed so desirable, as the attainment of wealth. While the great man of every circle is the rich man — in the common mind, wealth becomes the synonym of greatness. No condition is discernable superior, to that which money confers. No loftier idea of manhood is entertained, than that which embraces the extent of one's possessions.

There is a wealth of heart — better than gold. There is an interior adornment — fairer than outward ornament. There is a splendor in upright life — beside which gems are lustreless. There is a fineness of character — whose beauty outvies the glitter of diamonds. Man's true riches are hidden in his virtues, and in their development and increase — he will find his surest happiness!

"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle!" Proverbs 23:4-5


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David

 2017/7/5 6:49Profile
davym
Member



Joined: 2007/5/22
Posts: 326


 Re: Wealth

How much did he leave?

(J. R. Miller, "Counsel and Help" 1907)

"Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." Proverbs 23:5

People are badly cheated in this world. They imagine that the things they can see are the real things—that the gold, lands, and stocks are the true treasures. So they toil for those things and gather them into their possession, piling up what they suppose to be wealth. Thus they live in pomp, with their fine houses, and all their brilliant show. But one day their supposed riches sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Or they may keep their wealth, perchance, and die at last in the midst of it, and have a great funeral; but they find that they cannot carry a penny of it with them. "How much did he leave?" was asked about a rich man who had died. "All of it!" was the answer.

If only people knew that there are things which will never fly away—they would no longer live for fleeting worldly wealth. They would pass by the glittering unrealities, to lay hold of the true riches. He who is rich toward God—is the truly wealthy man.


_________________
David

 2017/7/5 8:13Profile
brothagary
Member



Joined: 2011/10/23
Posts: 2556


 Re:

For a little bit of context or pondering this is from the same letter of paul to 1 timothy 6;17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.,

 2021/3/7 17:06Profile





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