Laying up Treasures upon Earth.
By C. A. Osgood
This the Saviour forbade his disciples to do. Those to whom he addressed himself in his sermon on the mount, had a greater work than this to do—the work of publishing the gospel to the ends of the earth. So now, as the second coming of the Lord draws near, his disciples have a greater work to do, in proclaiming the third angel’s note of warning, and in exhorting the people to keep the commandments of God. To this great and good work, our time, our influence, our talents, our all, should be devoted. In spreading truth, money or property is needed. Our Lord did not forbid men to labor with their hands, to sow the grain, or reap the harvests, or to engage busily and faithfully in useful employments. Men may innocently acquire a small amount of property, if in this they have the glory of God in view. They may properly acquire just as much as they can best use in the service of God, and no more. To lay it up for selfish purposes, is forbidden. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.” Earthly riches are uncertain. These treasures are not safe. Garments laid up become moth-eaten. Metals are corrupted by rust. Thieves break in and carry off our property. Floods may wash away dwellings or other property. Fires may burn up our houses and barns, with all they contain. And if we have property insured against losses, as it is called, the insurance companies may fail. So we see that property insured in this earth is not secure. Earthly wealth is a hindrance to men’s piety and salvation. The most of those who have great possessions here, feel no interest to gain wealth in the world to come. “Great possessions” hindered the young man who came to Jesus to ask how he might obtain eternal life, from following Jesus, and gaining that life. This is one of the thorns “that chokes the word” of God in some hearts where it is sown. Riches are deceitful. How many vainly suppose that these can make them happy! How many feel that to get and keep them, is the great object to live for! How deluded they are! Yea, how deluded many of the professed disciples of Christ are! Their treasures and their hearts are here, and yet they dream of going to Heaven! They make most earnest and persistent efforts to lay up treasures here, yet hope to be happy in the world to come by making a few feeble efforts, by offering a few faint prayers! Our Saviour exclaimed, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” The possession of wealth, to say the least, makes it hard to gain salvation. And yet multitudes are seeking with the utmost anxiety and earnestness those very things which will almost certainly prevent them from gaining everlasting life. Being overcharged with the “cares of this life” is what the people of God are cautioned against just now. This is an age in which the multitude are crazy after wealth. Doubtless Satan expects to ruin many of the Advent people by catching them in this snare. If they do not heed the warning not to be overcharged with the “cares of this life,” “that day will come upon them unawares.” Reader, be admonished to heed the Saviour’s warning. Do not be deluded with the love of wealth, but “lay up in store a good foundation against the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life.”