June 24
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeMonday in the Roration Days
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy: laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17, 19.
S. PAUL here does not contradict what he says, "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," assuming that this must be in the hearts of all Christians, that Christ is the sole foundation, on Whom and in Whom, if we be His, we alone rest. If we would build solidly on that foundation, the foundation of our building must be love for God, evidenced in love for man. In no other way, he teaches, have the rich a good foundation for life eternal than in rich, glad, much-imparting almsgiving. Where that almsgiving is, there is also that foundation. All whom God admits to His presence, He will admit only for the merits of our Redeemer. But this presupposed. He says that almsgiving stands in direct relation to everlasting bliss. "Through mercy," God says, "iniquity is atoned for," "is redeemed;" "all things," yea, our sins too, are "cleansed to us;" salvation is "come to us;" we "have a strong foundation for life eternal;" "through mercy" we "shall obtain mercy;" "mercy will triumph over" the "judgment" which we have deserved. "God, our Judge," will deliver us "in that" great "day;" mercy "will receive us." Our Saviour and our Judge will bid us
"Come, ye blessed, take the kingdom," Shall be there the King's award, Which for you before the world was Of My Father was prepared;
I was naked, and ye clothed Me; Poor, and ye relieved Me; hence Take the riches of My glory For your endless recompense.