Honeyed Poison
The sermon emphasizes the fleeting nature of worldly riches and the importance of finding true happiness in God.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the futility of accumulating worldly possessions, arguing that in the end, both the rich and the poor face the same fate in death. He warns against the folly of placing value on earthly goods, which cannot satisfy the soul or secure eternal life. Brooks describes worldly comforts as deceptive and temporary, urging believers to find contentment in their spiritual wealth rather than material abundance. He likens worldly happiness to 'honeyed poison,' suggesting that true joy comes from a relationship with God rather than from transient pleasures. Ultimately, he encourages a mindset of contentment, regardless of one's material circumstances.
Text
O Sirs! in the grave it is all the same--to one who has had all,
and to another who has had none. What folly is it to lay up
goods for many years, when we cannot lay up one day for the
enjoyment of our goods! Christ, who never miscalled any, calls
him "fool!" who had much of the world under his hands--but
nothing of God or heaven in his heart.
All this whole world is not proportionable to the precious soul.
All the riches of the Indies cannot pacify conscience, nor secure
eternity, nor prevent death, nor bring you off victorious in the
day of judgment; and therefore be contented with a little.
All the good things of this world, are but cold comforts: they
cannot stretch to eternity, they will not go with us into the
eternal world; and therefore why should the lack of such
things either trouble our thoughts, or break our hearts?
The whole world is but . . .
a paradise for fools;
a beautiful but deceitful harlot;
a dreamed sweetness,
a very ocean of gall.
There is nothing to be found in it, which has not mutability
and uncertainty, vanity and vexation stamped upon it. And
therefore he cannot be truly happy who enjoys it; nor can he
be miserable who lacks it. And why then should not he be
contented, who has but a little of it? The greatest outward
happiness is but honeyed poison; and therefore do not mutter
or murmur because you have but little of the world.
Sermon Outline
- The Folly of Laying Up Riches
- The World's Deception
- True Happiness and Contentment
- True Happiness Comes from God, Not the World
- Contentment in Little
Key Quotes
“All the riches of the Indies cannot pacify conscience, nor secure eternity, nor prevent death, nor bring you off victorious in the day of judgment;” — Thomas Brooks
“The greatest outward happiness is but honeyed poison;” — Thomas Brooks
“The whole world is but a paradise for fools; a beautiful but deceitful harlot; a dreamed sweetness, a very ocean of gall.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Cultivate contentment with what you have, rather than constantly desiring more.
- Focus on building a relationship with God to achieve true happiness.
- Recognize the fleeting nature of worldly riches and the dangers of being deceived by them.