Godliness the True Riches
Godliness is a long-term investment that leads to eternal life, not a means of gaining wealth in this world.
Clement of Rome encourages believers not to be troubled by the prosperity of the unrighteous or the struggles of the servants of God, but to have faith in God's divine plan. He emphasizes that the righteous must patiently wait for their reward, as immediate blessings would lead to pursuing gain over godliness. Clement praises the invisible God, the Father of truth, who sent the Saviour to reveal truth and offer eternal life, giving glory to Him forever.
Text
But let it not even trouble your mind, that we see the unrighteous possessed of riches and the servants of God straitened. Let us, therefore, brothers and sisters, believe; in a trial of the living God we strive and are exercised in the present life, that we may obtain the crown in that which is to come.
No one of the righteous received fruit speedily, but waits for it. For if God tendered the reward of the righteous in a trice, straightway were it commerce that we practised, and not godliness. For it were as if we were righteous by following after not godliness but gain; and for this reason the divine judgment baffled the spirit that is unrighteous and heavily weighed the fetter.
To the only God, invisible, Father of truth, who sent forth to us the Saviour and Author of immortality, through whom He also manifested to us the truth and the heavenly life, to Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Godliness
- The Unrighteous and the Righteous
- The Reward of Godliness
- It is not about material gain
- But about eternal life
Key Quotes
“For if God tendered the reward of the righteous in a trice, straightway were it commerce that we practised, and not godliness.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- Focus on living a life pleasing to God, rather than seeking temporal rewards.
- Exercise your faith and trust in God's plan, even in difficult times.
- Remember that the reward of godliness is eternal life, not material gain.