2 Sermon Illustrations on Merit

2 illustrations

2 sermon illustrations on merit — stories, anecdotes and meditations from classic illustration collections, each credited to the book it came from.

Merit, Assumption of

Assuming earthly deeds can earn heaven is likened to making heaven debtor to mercy.

A Romanist epitaph in Cork contains the following: "Edward Molloy, the friend of humanity, the father of the poor. He employed the wealth of this world only to procure the riches of the next; and, leaving a balance of credit on the book of life, he made heaven debtor to mercy."

Merit, of Beneficence

Heaven cannot be bought with earthly wealth, no matter how generous the giver.

Mr. Latrobe, visiting an Irish nobleman, was shown an elegant church which he had built, and was asked. "Do you not think that that will merit heaven?" Said Mr. Latrobe, "Pray, my lord, what may your estate be worth a year?"—"About thirteen or fourteen thousand pounds," was the answer. "And do you think God would sell heaven even for thirteen or fourteen thousand pounds?" said the minister.