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The Dangers of Wealth

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 27, 1870

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 36, No. 15.

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The Dangers of Wealth.

By Mary E. Guilford

“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” 1 Tim. 6:9.
It would seem, with this plain testimony before them, that the professed children of God would earnestly shun the path to wealth; that they would be eager to transfer the treasures God commits to their trust here, to the world to come. But how few we see, even of those who are looking for the speedy coming of Jesus, who are willing to give even a tithe of their possessions to the Lord. And if these persons do bestow any of the means lent of God, for the advancement of his cause, it is given reluctantly, and not as a grateful offering.
Do such realize the immense sacrifice made by Christ, that he might have power to rescue them from sin and death, and make them to be heirs of the world, and possessors of the eternal weight of glory? How high do they estimate the value of the immortal inheritance?
How far do they follow Christ in his life of self-denial? How much do they heed Paul’s admonition, where he says to Timothy, “Charge them that are rich in this world . . . that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
The word of God contains full and ample instructions how we should use the means intrusted to our hands. It warns us of the deceitfulness of riches, and the certain destruction to which they will bring those who set their hearts upon obtaining them; and yet by far the greater number of those who profess to be the children of God, cling to their earthly possessions with a miser’s grasp, and manifest greater interest to add thereto, than they do to secure eternal life. But sooner or later, they will realize with terrible bitterness of soul, that they are numbered with that class to whom the Lord will say, “But ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.” They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” Prov. 1:25, 26; 30:31.
“Ye cannot serve God and mammon” is a plain declaration of the divine word; yet man will stretch forth one hand toward Heaven for the immortal inheritance, while with the other he will grasp firmly the perishable treasures of earth. Oh! “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”
Come, wealth-loving professor, tear off the mask of self-deception and look in upon your heart. Compare your life of selfishness, closeness, covetousness, and miserly hoarding of earth’s treasures, with the spirit of generosity, devotedness, self-sacrificing, and disinterested benevolence, that the word of God teaches, and behold the contrast.
I speak not alone to those who have wealth; but to such as are eager to obtain it; and to those who are in moderate circumstances yet able to do much in the cause of God if they possessed the spirit of liberality and sacrifice, but whose souls are so narrowed down with selfishness that if they are required to give anything for the cause of God which calls for self-denial or sacrifice, a spirit of murmuring takes possession of the heart, and they manifest such unwillingness to give, and such close, covetous holding on the means God has so bountifully bestowed upon them, as to sadden the heart, and heartily disgust the liberal-souled Christian.
Oh! that such would view themselves in the light of God’s word! That they would deal truly with their own souls! God will accept none but free-will offerings. He calls for a sacrifice; and a sacrifice does not increase, but consume. Oh! that all would heed our Saviour’s injunctions: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth. . . . But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven. . . . For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matt. 6:19–21.
“Be not deceived, God is not mocked.” Gal. 6:7. He will not be trifled with. His purposes are founded in wisdom. His requirements are just. Man cannot thwart his purposes; neither commend himself to his favor, except in God’s own appointed way. We must be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and if we would not be “found wanting,” we must fill the measure of God. Then let us shun the fatal snare. Let us flee from the path of danger and certain destruction. Surrender all to God. Let us lay all upon the altar, and hold ourselves in constant readiness to work for the Lord, to hand out freely and cheerfully, not only our tithes and our offerings, but even the principal itself, if God should require it. Thus shall we have favor with God, and his blessings will constantly attend us. Thus, also, shall we manifest to the world the truth that is in our hearts, and wield a silent yet powerful influence over the hearts of the children of men. Light from the heavenly sanctuary will beam upon us, and emanate from us to those around us, and they be led to glorify our Father which is in Heaven.
May God help us to be earnest, consistent, self-sacrificing Christians, that when the command shall go forth, “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice,” Ps. 50:5, we may be found among them, and be gathered unto the eternal rest.
MARY E. GUILFORD.
Erie Co., Ohio.