WHAT IT COST HIM | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 13, 1869

WHAT IT COST HIM.

“What is the value of this estate?” said a gentleman to another, with whom he was riding, as they passed a fine mansion surrounded by fair and fertile fields.

“I don’t know what it is valued at, I know what it cost its late possessor.”

“How much?”

“His soul?”

A solemn pause followed this brief answer, for the inquirer had not sought first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

The person referred to was the son of a pious laboring man. Early in life he professed faith in Christ, and he soon obtained a subordinate position in a mercantile establishment in the city. He continued to maintain reputable religious profession till he became a partner in a firm. Labor then increased. He gave less attention to religion, and more and more to his business, and the cares of the world choked the word. Ere he became old he was exceedingly rich in money, but so poor and miserly in soul, that none who knew him would have suspected that he had ever borne the sacred name of Him who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

At length he purchased the large landed estate referred to, built a costly mansion, sickened and died. Just ere he died he remarked, “My prosperity has been my ruin.”

Oh! what a price for which to barter away immortal joy and everlasting life; yet how many do it. “When I have finished this house,” said one man, “then will I seek the Lord.” “Years afterward,” said the narrator, “I passed that way; the house was not finished, but the man was dead!”—Evangelical Messenger.