PAUL'S ESTIMATE OF EARTHLY DIGNITY
By George I. Butler
To ascertain the relative interest we should show in this world and the world to come, we must understand their relative value. A fatal mistake is being made by millions upon this point. This world looks to them so bright and beautiful, so desirable and valuable, that they feel like exerting themselves to their utmost to obtain its riches, pleasures, and honors. This life to them is of no value unless acquiring these. The life to come seems dim, shadowy, and unreal. Theoretically they may admit the probability of another and better life, but it seems so uncertain and far removed that efforts made to obtain it seem thrown away. We always labor for what seems to us of greatest value. It is therefore important that we should obtain correct views in reference to the relation of both worlds. Whose opinion could be more valuable than that of the apostle Paul? He was a great traveler. Had seen life in all its varying conditions; had associated with men of letters, with princes and rulers. He was himself possessed with first-class ability. His writings, eighteen centuries old, are yet read with great interest by men of the greatest ability. He was a man inspired of God to instruct those living under the Christian dispensation. "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." If we will consider these particulars which Paul enumerates, we shall find that they embraced what was most highly esteemed at the time when he lived—that in the possession of these lay earthly dignity, popularity, wealth, and all that was considered valuable among men. United with these Paul possessed great energy of character and eminent ability. There was no man living among his people whose future career was more promising. What a brilliant future lays before this young man as he starts out for Damascus, full of zeal for the religion of his fathers? But after Christ reveals himself to him and he sees that he is fighting against God, what a change comes over him. From this point his life is in perfect contrast to his previous life. He casts aside earthly honor, wealth, and pleasure as of little worth, and accepts a life of toil, hardship, and persecution without a murmur. We all admit that Paul made a perfect success of his Christian course. He cries out as he closes his life, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." The main reason why he did make such a success was because he properly estimated the value of this life and that which is to come. He obtained a view of the better world, which completely eclipsed all earthly dignity. Like Abraham of old, who beheld by faith the "city which hath foundations," and became charmed with it, and thenceforth became a "pilgrim and a stranger," caring little for earthly things, so Paul renounced all worldly prospects, and considered them of no more value than the filth of the streets, in comparison with that "exceeding weight" of glory held out before him. The worldling gives his whole heart to this world. Its attractions are all to him. Like the "man with the muck-rake" in "Bunyan's Pilgrim Progress," he gazes downward, and all-absorbed with the trifles of earth he never raises his eyes to behold the golden crown above his head—the crown of eternal glory. The half-hearted Christian balances both worlds, sometimes making efforts to gain the better one, but ever looking back with longing eyes to the pleasures, riches, or honors of this life. He cannot make a success, because his efforts under such circumstances are not at all commensurate with the value of the world to come. We see how Paul looked at this matter. Who is right? Who takes the sensible view? This life is short at best; its riches uncertain and wholly unsatisfying. Its pleasures do not satisfy; its honors are like the mirage of the desert. It is a world full of sickness, disappointment, pain, sin, misery, and death. We cannot escape some of these, and how soon comes the close! The world to come is eternal. Never a tear will be shed there. Pain will never be known. No drouth, no mildew, no curse, ever comes there. None but the good will ever be there. Mansions of glory await the faithful, and flowers which never fade, and joys forevermore. "I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness," says Holy Writ. Which is right, the worldling, the half-hearted Christian, or Paul, the great apostle? He counted all these earthly things but loss that he might win Christ, for in him will all these future blessings be given. Let us give to each world its true value. Then shall we be earnest, devoted Christians, and share the blessed crown of immortal glory at last. GEO. I. BUTLER. Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sept. 16, 1880.