| The Every Day of Life |
Chapter 18 |
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Yet when we open our Bible we find that the experience of growing rich is indeed set down as one full of spiritual peril. It was Jesus who said, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” And St. Paul said, “They that will be rich fall into temptation and snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all evil.” There is no doubt that when a Christian is prospering and growing rich is indeed a time when he needs the prayers of God’s people, whether they are requested and offered for him or not.
True, this is an experience, which but few people are known ever to have dreaded. It is not often that people are heard to say that they are afraid to get rich. It is not the popular impression that this condition is one in which danger lurks. Yet thousands of souls have been lost in the valley of gold. Countless men have buried their manhood in the fabrics of earthly prosperity, which their hands have reared. Many a man’s envied fortune is in Heaven’s sight but the splendid mausoleum of his soul. We do indeed need the prayers of God’s people if we are growing rich, that our hearts may be kept warm and soft; that the fires may not be suffered to go out on the secret altar; that we may continue humble and simple with all divine simplicity; that we may be held ever near to the heart of Christ, and that we may be sheltered by the love of God from all the insidious dangers and hurtful influences that belong to the experience of growing rich.
Another kindred condition, which, according to the Scriptures, hides an unsuspected peril, is one of unbroken prosperity. “Because they have no changes; therefore they fear not God.” Those who are thus described are free from trouble. They do not suffer from adversity, from misfortune, from losses, from disappointments. They move along, year after year, without any breaks in their human happiness.
It is not usual that such an experience as this is regarded as one of danger. Indeed, we naturally consider such persons peculiarly favored. For example, here is a home, which has gone on for a long time without saddening changes. Business has been prosperous, and the circumstances of the household have become more and more easy. Additions have been made to the comforts and luxuries enjoyed in the home. There have been no long, serious illnesses, causing pain and anxiety, and draining the resources of the family. There have been no deaths, breaking the happy circle of loved ones.
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