CAN A RICH MAN ENTER HEAVEN?
By Robert S. Greaves
A SHORT time ago while reading a missionary paper my attention was drawn to a small picture, representing some of the famine-stricken people of India. There they lay in a long row on the ground, with thin, emaciated bodies stretched out, a most horrible and pitiful sight; underneath was written, “These are not dead, but starving.” The thought which arose in my mind was, “Can a rich man enter heaven?” To me the question seemed forever solved, as I again scanned the picture and remembered that two cents a day would save each life. Men who are rolling in wealth allow human beings to perish and their bones to bleach in the Indian sun rather than sacrifice even their wine or cigars to save fellow-mortals from death. How dwelleth the love of God in them? When these wealthy men have to stand before their Maker, words are inadequate to describe the terror that must seize on their lost souls as the fearful words are spoken, “Render an account of thy stewardship.” Pause and consider whilst there is yet time; open out your purses; listen to the cries of the dying, and deal out bread to the hungry. Remember the words of our Saviour, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Who would refuse our Saviour bread? Good work can still be done in India, and now when the people are suffering distress is the time to also distribute to them the bread of life. When will workers have such a favorable opportunity as exists at the present time? Means is greatly wanting, and there is yet time for the wealthy to obey the words of our Saviour, “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.” What a blessed exchange,—treasure in heaven for the tin of this world, which if13kept must shortly perish in the final conflagration! Melton, Dauphin, Manitoba.