Vexing, Defiling, Dividing, Ruining
The love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil, and earthly riches can be ruinous to many people.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the dangers of earthly riches, warning that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. He illustrates how the pursuit of wealth can lead to spiritual ruin, causing individuals to stray from their faith and suffer deep sorrows. Brooks describes riches as thorns that inflict pain on the mind and heart, blinding, hardening, and perverting the soul. He cautions that while poverty may slay thousands, the allure of wealth has led to the downfall of many more. Ultimately, he calls for a reevaluation of our relationship with money and the impact it has on our spiritual lives.
Text
"For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil.
And some people, craving money, have wandered from
the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows."
1 Timothy 6:10
Earthly riches have cast down many, they have slain
many. If poverty has slain her thousands; riches has
slain her ten thousands.
Earthly riches are called thorns, and well they may;
for as thorns, they pierce both head and heart;
the head with cares in getting them, and
the heart with grief in parting with them.
Oh the souls that riches have pierced
through and through with many sorrows!
Oh the minds that riches have blinded!
Oh the hearts that riches have hardened!
Oh the consciences that riches have benumbed!
Oh the wills that riches have perverted!
Oh the affections that riches have
disordered and destroyed!
Earthly riches are very vexing, very defiling, very
dividing--and to multitudes prove very ruining.
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Earthly Riches
- The Effects of Riches on the Soul
- The Ruin Caused by Riches
- Vexing, Defiling, and Dividing
- The Multitudes Ruined by Riches
- Benumbing the Conscience and Perverting the Will
Key Quotes
“For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil.” — Thomas Brooks
“Earthly riches have cast down many, they have slain many. If poverty has slain her thousands; riches has slain her ten thousands.” — Thomas Brooks
“Oh the souls that riches have pierced through and through with many sorrows!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Be careful not to let the love of money control your life.
- Recognize the dangers of earthly riches and avoid their ruinous effects.
- Prioritize your relationship with God over material wealth.