Untitled article by F. W. Morse

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, July 16, 1867

THE CRAFTSMEN. ACTS XIX, 24.

By F. W. Morse

COVETOUSNESS.

“By this craft we have our wealth,” and this Paul is persuading and turning away the people, not only from these our manufactured gods, thus overthrowing our profitable trade, but also declaring against all “gods which are made with hands, so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at naught; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia, and the world worshipeth.”

Satan works well to gain his purpose. First by doubt and unbelief. See verse 9. Next he tries miracle-working to confirm the word of unbelief. See verse 13. He then whirls his train of delusion over the track thus prepared for it, into the very midst of Vanity Fair with all its grand interests of gain and craft, idol worship, temples and magnificence,—the cherished objects of adoration for “all Asia and the world.”

Thus is the mammon-blinded soul kept by the power of Satan through unbelief, unto perdition.

The working of the adversary at Ephesus is a good general illustration of his manner of proceeding in all time, especially in the last times. His final effort in tempting the Son of God was by presenting all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and in the last days covetousness is a leading characteristic of the wicked world in general, whilst the repeated admonitions to the chosen flock, concerning this withering, blasting iniquity, clearly proves them not exempt from danger in respect to it.

In the prophetic outlines of closing events, our Lord compares the state and condition of the world to the antediluvian period, when the multitudes were buried in the pursuits of vanity and folly, being filled with all covetousness. And they “knew not until the flood came and took them all away.” In view of the fulfilled tokens of the end, and these marks of depravity in the human race, he presents a solemn admonitory warning for the special benefit of his followers. “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Luke xxi, 34.

Again, if we examine the record of God’s dealings with his ancient people, we see that his fury was poured out upon children and aged, husband and wife, house and field, “for from the least of them even unto the greatest of them, every one of them is given to covetousness.” Jer. vi, 11–13.

“These things are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come,” and “if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” “By this craft we have our wealth,” has been the ruin of more than one Demetrius. They who are engrossed in the pursuit of gain, money getting, and property scheming, fall into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men’s souls in perdition. They do not like to retain God in their knowledge, for all those principles of Heaven-pleasing benevolence are withered and blasted, and the cursed fruits of stinginess and selfishness only are manifested, and they can think of none but dear self. There is no room for thoughts of God and Heaven, and there will be no room in Heaven for them. They have no interest there, their treasures are not there, but here.

Earthly gain and splendor are not characteristics of the heirs of the world to come. If they were, then men would gather into the ranks through considerations of promotion or plunder.

The voice of inspiration assures the child of earth, that those who will live godly shall suffer persecution, want and shame, in things of this carnal world; that they must forever turn away from the earthly diadem, glittering though it be, and trace the narrow, rugged pathway that was traveled by their divine Master, if they would at last be crowned by his own dear hand, with the unfading coronet of Heaven. They can then choose or refuse; die to the world and live to God, or live to the world, and at last taste the second, awful death and the fiery indignation that shall devour the adversaries.

F. W. MORSE. Deerfield, Minn.