He Awoke With Everlasting Flames About His Ears!
Earthly riches can lead to spiritual blindness, hardened hearts, and eternal consequences if we prioritize them over our spiritual well-being.
Thomas Brooks warns against the dangers of earthly riches, emphasizing how they burden the soul with cares and distractions that lead to spiritual torment. He illustrates the plight of Dives, who was so consumed by his wealth and status that he neglected his eternal fate, only to awaken in torment. Brooks highlights the sorrow and corruption that wealth can bring, urging listeners to reflect on the true cost of their earthly pursuits and the neglect of their souls. The sermon serves as a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of material wealth and the importance of prioritizing spiritual well-being.
Text
Earthly riches commonly load the soul with a multitude of
cares, fears, griefs, and vexations--which mightily disturb
the soul, distract the soul; yes, often rack, torture, and
torment the soul.
Earthly riches, for the most part, do a world of mischief
and hurt to their owners. Oh the souls which earthly riches
have pierced through and through with many sorrows! Oh
the minds which earthly riches have blinded! Oh the hearts
which earthly riches have hardened! Oh the consciences
which earthly riches have benumbed! Oh the wills which
earthly riches have perverted! Oh the affections which
earthly riches have disordered! Oh the lives which earthly
riches have corrupted!
Dives was so taken up with his riches, pomp, state, and
with his royal apparel, royal attendance, and royal fare--
that he never minded heaven, nor ever dreaded hell--until
he awoke with everlasting flames about his ears!
Oh the time, the thoughts, the strength, the energy--which
rich men spend and consume upon their riches, while their
precious souls lie bleeding to death, and an eternity of
misery is hastening upon them!
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Earthly Riches
- The Consequences of Prioritizing Riches
- The Tragic Example of Dives
- Dives was consumed by his riches and pomp
- Dives neglected heaven and dreaded hell
- Riches can disordered affections and corrupt lives
Key Quotes
“Oh the souls which earthly riches have pierced through and through with many sorrows!” — Thomas Brooks
“Oh the minds which earthly riches have blinded!” — Thomas Brooks
“Oh the time, the thoughts, the strength, the energy--which rich men spend and consume upon their riches, while their precious souls lie bleeding to death, and an eternity of misery is hastening upon them!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We must be aware of the dangers of earthly riches and prioritize our spiritual well-being.
- We should not let our wealth blind us to our spiritual condition and the need for spiritual growth.
- We must recognize the eternal consequences of neglecting our spiritual well-being and prioritize our relationship with God.