p. 82 | RICHES by M. Wood

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 15, 1877

RICHES

By M. Wood

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 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.” 1 Tim. 6:17-19. It is somewhat surprising to witness the agility manifested on the part of some professed Christians in passing over the scripture above quoted, and the aptness they manifest in placing it precisely where it does not properly belong. Some assert that this language of the apostle is not applicable to the household of faith, but to those whose main object in life is to heap to themselves riches, which give them influence, and raise them to stations of honor and popularity among their fellow-beings.

In verses 9 and 10 Paul gives us a lesson concerning the obtaining of riches. He there faithfully points out the dangers, temptations, and snares, into which the accumulating of riches is liable to lead us. It is true that God gives us power and faculties to obtain riches, Deut. 8:18, but he would have us give him the glory; and instead of hoarding up riches (Matt. 6:19), we should esteem it a privilege to be allowed to give it for the promulgation of God’s truth. 1 Chron. 29:14. Money when hoarded up is of no more value than so many pebbles. The wealth of a Vanderbilt or Rothschild, could not procure us a passport into the kingdom of God. Nor can they carry their wealth with them. The psalmist declares that wise men die, likewise the fool, and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Ps. 49:10. Riches profit not in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivereth from death. Lay not up riches to yourselves upon earth, but use them in promoting the salvation of others.

We frequently hear the expression that money is the root of all evil. The apostle tells us in verse 10 that “the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some covet after, they [the professed people of God] have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Neither money nor riches of themselves are the root of all evil; nor is it a sin to possess means. The great sin lies in setting up the golden calf and paying homage to it instead of the great Jehovah, who giveth liberally all things that we may use them to his glory. Says the great apostle, “Having food and raiment, let us therewith be content; for godliness with contentment is great gain.” But when the whole life is absorbed in scraping together and heaping up riches as a testimony against us in the last days, leanness is brought to the soul. The mind is debased and narrowed by such conduct, and the door of the heart is barred against the Spirit of God. Benevolent and generous feelings become extinct, charity perishes, and selfishness, the last and lowest principle in moral degradation, absorbs the soul to that extent that we lose all love for the work or church of God.

Yet the work of the Lord moves onward, and will ere long triumph over the enemies of the cross of Christ, when the faithful, patient, toiling children of God will be saved with an everlasting salvation. Reader, a right and title to a mansion of Jesus’ preparing will be cheap at any price. Oh! to be consecrated to God and to his work, to be disentangled from all earthly things, to live to and for God, and manifest a spirit of pure, disinterested benevolence! Jesus is soon coming, and it rejoices my heart to learn that there are those who act as though they believed it. They manifest faith to that extent in the third angel’s message, even in their declining years, that they are willing to sacrifice their property, that they may identify themselves with the harvesters of the Lord.

But, to return to my text. “Charge them that are rich.” In what? faith? No, in this world’s goods. But why this caution? The apostle watches over the church as one who must give an account of souls. He was cognizant of the fact that the accumulation of riches would have a tendency to draw the mind away from God. Riches cannot give happiness, neither can they meet the wants of the true child of God. He longs for something higher and nobler. Abundance of earthly treasures is unsatisfying to those waiting the return of their absent Lord.

God has given us richly from his bountiful storehouse, and he would have us dispense it liberally for the supply of his creatures. Was there ever a time when means were more needed to carry forward the work of the third angel’s message than at the present time? Or will there ever be a time when means will be needed more than at the present moment? God in his infinite mercy has informed us that the present time is the time for us to make a safe investment, and place our means beyond the reach of moth, rust, or thieves.

Secure all the stock you can, brethren, yes, and sisters too, in every enterprise connected with the third angel’s message. By this means you can do good, relieve the wants of the cause, free our ministering brethren, and give a higher tone to the work, and best of all, bring the blessing of God upon the entire camp of Israel. Thus your good works may be as abundant as your riches; and your willingness to distribute of your abundance will be a means to provoke others to love and to good works. By so doing you may lay up in store for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come, and be prepared to escape the terrible retribution of those who are mentioned in James 5:1-6.

M. Wood.