A Shadow, a Ship, a Bubble, a Bird, a Dream, an Arrow
The sermon warns against the uncertainty and transitory nature of earthly riches and honors, urging listeners to seek true substance and firmness in their lives.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the fleeting nature of earthly riches and honors, comparing them to shadows, ships, bubbles, birds, dreams, arrows, and runners that swiftly pass away. He warns against the futility of striving for wealth, as it is ultimately uncertain and lacks true substance. Brooks illustrates that worldly possessions are merely illusions, devoid of lasting value, and can vanish as quickly as they appear. He encourages listeners to recognize the vanity of placing trust in material wealth, which can be lost through various unforeseen circumstances. The sermon serves as a reminder to seek eternal treasures rather than temporary gains.
Text
"Don't weary yourself trying to get rich. Why waste
your time? For riches can disappear as though they
had the wings of a bird!" Proverbs 23:4-5
All earthly portions are very uncertain; now they are--and
shortly they are not! Though the foolish world calls riches
substance--yet they have no solid subsistence. All earthly
portions are as transitory as a shadow, a ship, a bubble,
a bird, a dream, an arrow, a runner who passes swiftly
away. Riches were never true to any who have trusted in
them. All earthly things are vain and transitory, they are
rather phantoms and shadows--than real things themselves.
All the glory of this world is rather a matter of shadow, than
of substance; it is a body without a soul; it is a golden shell
without a kernel; it is a shadow without a substance. There
is no firmness, there is no solidness, there is no consistency,
there is no constancy in any of the creatures. All the pomp,
and state, and glory of the world is but a mere painted
pageantry, a mask, a comedy, a fantasy!
Look! As the rainbow shows itself in all its dainty colors,
and then vanishes away--so do all worldly honors, riches,
and preferments show themselves--and then vanish away!
A storm at sea, a spark of fire, an unfaithful employee,
a false oath, or a treacherous friend--may quickly bring
a man to sit with Job upon an ash-heap!
Look! As the bird flies from tree to tree--so all the riches,
honors, and glory of this world--fly from man to man!
There is nothing but vanity and uncertainty in all earthly portions.
Sermon Outline
- The Uncertainty of Riches
- The Transitory Nature of Earthly Things
- The Futility of Trusting in Riches
- Riches were never true to those who trusted in them
- There is no firmness or solidness in earthly things
Key Quotes
“Riches can disappear as though they had the wings of a bird!” — Thomas Brooks
“All earthly things are vain and transitory, they are rather phantoms and shadows--than real things themselves.” — Thomas Brooks
“All the glory of this world is rather a matter of shadow, than of substance;” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should not trust in riches or earthly things, but rather seek true substance and firmness in our lives.
- The things of this world are fleeting and uncertain, and we should not become attached to them.
- True happiness and fulfillment come from seeking God and His kingdom, rather than earthly riches and honors.