August 6

They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” - 1 Timothy 6:9-10.

PAUL here refers to two classes of person. First, to evil men, who yet may have made a profession of religion. Of these Solomon speaks when he says, “The prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” “Their table shall become a snare and a trap.” The Apostle compares these to persons shipwrecked; they sink to rise no more; they are drowned in destruction and perdition.

Then, secondly, he refers to good men, and compares them to passengers or travellers going along the road, but instead of pursuing their course only, they happen to see some inviting fruit at the roadside, entangled all round with thorns and briars, and they must get it, and they tear their garments and their flesh to reach it, and tear them again in getting back from it. “These pierce themselves through with many sorrows.” The fact is, that even good men, with regard to earthly riches, want peculiar grace, or they will not be proof against their evil influences.

Christians seldom, if ever, improve by their rising in the world; but many have been greatly injured by it. Many have been less constant and regular in their attendance on the means of grace, though they have had more leisure. Many have given less afterwards-not less comparatively, but less absolutely. We believe the Scriptures, where God testifies of the danger of temporal prosperity. If these things were safe and good for Christians, they would have them; for “God taketh pleasure in his people.” But he sees they would operate as manure to their depravity-he sees they would provide for the lusts of the flesh, and so tend to cherish and keep alive those evils which it is our duty and our privilege to have starved to death, as far as possible-such as pride, and vanity, and self-importance, attachment to earth, and an unwillingness to leave it and go to the Father.

Let us seek durable riches and righteousness. These are not only attainable, but safe. These are not only blameless, but profitable-profitable unto “all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” These, instead of polluting the mind, will purify it; they will draw us from the earth, instead of allowing us to settle here. Instead of elevating us, they will clothe us with humility; instead of leading us away from God, they will connect us with him; they will prepare us for every condition in which we can be found. Therefore let us fix no bound to our desires; God does not. He says, “Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it.” “Ask and receive, that your joy may be full.”