My Check Book and My Bible
In the magazine section of one of the most influential dailies—its name matters not—a page is occasionally given to those who desire to tell about “the two best books I have read recently.” One of the persons writing for this page, said to be “the wife of an eminent New York banker,” named the two best books that she had recently read as “my check book” and “the Bible.” Concerning her check book she said, “The impression that it made on me was one of gloom.” But she said, “The Bible helped to cheer me up, because it gave me the idea that we were approaching the end of the world, because of all the horrible events now taking place, and consequently, in that case, I felt that it would not be necessary for me to pay my bills.” The “wife of an eminent New York banker” is not very likely to be in such a run-down financial condition as really to need to have “impressions of gloom” over her check book; hence the natural conclusion is that she is rather inclined to make a little pleasantry over “the horrible events now taking place” and the impression upon her mind that they foreshadow “that we were approaching the end of the world.” The “horrible events now taking place,” without any question, are shown by the clearest Bible prophecies to betoken the second coming of Christ; and that means the end of this world in its sinful condition, and the destruction of all unrepentant sinners. But individuals who are really preparing for that event, and who are getting actual comfort, rather than the fancied comfort of ridicule, out of the Bible, will not live on a plane so low as to consider that it will not be necessary for them to meet their just financial obligations. God has given prophecies that foretell the second coming of His Son. He has sent His Spirit to impress these prophecies upon the minds and hearts of the people. They may brush these impressions aside if they will, through ridicule; they can drown them with scorn; they can laugh them away. But how foolish it is to pursue such a course! The event is coming on with divine precision, and is irresistible in its progress. Our adverse attitude to it will not stop it; such an attitude can only leave us among the lost when the crisis is reached. How much more sane to yield to the intelligent influences of the Spirit of God, acting through His word, and thus be ready to stand among the immortals in the great day of the Lord!