What It Cost by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 9, 1909

What It Cost

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON

A GENTLEMAN said to another, with whom he was riding, as they passed a fine mansion surrounded by beautiful fields, “What is the value of this estate?”

“I don’t know what it is valued at,” his friend replied, “but I know what it cost its late owner.”

“How much?”

“His soul.”

Then he continued: “The owner was once a Christian man. But as business increased, he gave less attention to religion and more to business. The cares of the world gradually choked the word. He began to neglect the Bible. Secret prayer was given up. The family altar was forgotten, as they did not have time to pray, owing to the rush of work. The owner ceased going to prayer-meeting. As he grew older, he loved money more, became more miserly, and began to hoard up his savings. He bought this large estate; built this mansion, which he never finished; sickened, and died. Just before he died, he mournfully said, ‘My prosperity has been my ruin.’”

How unspeakably sad! Immortal joy and unending happiness bartered away for a farm. What a bargain! Yet how many are paying this terrible price. Judas did it. Demas loved this present evil world, forsook the gospel, and turned traitor for money. The covetous fool in the parable did the same.

Are there any among us who are planning, unconsciously perhaps, to sacrifice a home in the new earth for the things of this earth? We hope not. Yet the seed of covetousness is in all our hearts; speculation is in the air. Some are increasing their earthly gain, and manipulating large financial schemes with one hand, while seeking to hold on to the truth with the other. Of course it is all to “help the cause” a little later on. They may do this. But they may lose their souls.

It is surely right to help the cause. And it is all right to lay plans to make money with which to help the work of God. Some are given a talent to do this. But the risk is great. Such need to pray for guidance. There is danger that, like the man in the incident related here, the love of the world will crowd out the truth, and eclipse eternal realities, and we at last perish because we are taken unawares.

There have been Demases all the way along, even among us. The spirit of money-making has entered into some hearts, and though they did not intend it so, their love for the message finally grew cold; they chose the world, and gave up the truth.

How much does it cost to do this?

The value of a soul.

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37.

Takoma Park, D. C.