December 30

That they be rich in good works. — 1 TIM. vi. 18.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. — MATT. vi. 19-21.

HUMANITY'S road to enduring wealth is here indicated by the One who, though he was rich, became poor that we through his poverty might be rich. The same lesson opens his mouth in the parables of the rich fool, the unjust steward, and the rich worldling. This passage is the moral with which he points the choice of the young ruler.

The kernel of this statement lies in the significance of the word heart. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." The rich fool's earth-sphered heart stamped him as "one who layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." The unjust steward's worldly prudence should make us wise enough to bring the mammon of unrighteousness under the heart control of an heir to the "everlasting habitations." The rich worldling's heart dissection takes place when Abraham says, "Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things." The young ruler's heart sorrow is revealed as the loving Saviour declares, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God?"

"Never treat money affairs with levity," says one of earth's noted writers; "money is character." Let us weigh the treasures of earth in the balance of the Sermon on the Mount.

G. W. R. Bink

Their works of piety and love, Performed through Christ, their Lord, Forever registered above, Shall meet a sure reward.

HARRIET AUBER