January 11

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? - James 2:5.

IN general the language of the Scriptures is most favourable to the needy and distressed; and what generous mind does not rejoice in this aspect of benevolent preference?-who does not read with pleasure?-“I will leave in the midst of thee a poor and an afflicted people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.” “The poor have the gospel preached unto them.” And here that God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?

But this is not true of them universally and exclusively; we are told that not “many” of the rich and the noble are called, but the very assertion proves there are some. But while the possession of earthly good may screen from dependence and embarrassment, and procure for them not only the necessaries but the conveniences, and indulgences, and embellishments of life, yet our Saviour said to his followers, “If any man will be my disciple, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” Yet he also said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” The apostle, who taught that “through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom,” made no scruple to say, “Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come.”

Religion, by its natural influence, as well as by the blessing of an overruling Providence, tends in various ways to advance the temporal welfare of men. While it is said, “They that have riches shall hardly enter into the kingdom of God,” it is also said, “But with God all things are possible.” We allow there is enough to alarm the prosperous; but they have no ground for despair, for while there is a diversity in human conditions, and that some are rich and others are poor, and while some are in honour and others are in obscurity and disgrace, God hath placed no condition under sentence of reprobation.

There is a way to heaven from all the diversities of human life; there is a passage to it from the mansion as well as from the cottage, though it is more narrow, and perplexing, and difficult. In a word, a Christian is never known by his condition, but he must be always known in it.