p. 114 | THE RUST OF RICHES

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 3, 1878

THE RUST OF RICHES.

Unused instruments grow rusty. And rusting is chemically a slow but sure form of burning. It eats in deeper and deeper until the instrument is damaged, or the metal consumed.

Riches are an implement; they are the means of applying and utilizing power. Rightly used, they are blessings. Misused, they are deadly instruments of destruction. Unused, they are rusting tools, doing good to none, and testifying against the indolence, or incapacity, or selfish churlishness, or miserliness, of the owner.

A little wealth, rightly used, is more of a blessing to humanity than vast riches unused. A single homely plow, kept bright by making many furrows, is better than a great steam gang-plow rusting in idleness. A “nimble sixpence,” kept shining by constant circulation, is better than a “slow shilling,” that gathers black rust in the miser’s strong box.

But there is this strange peculiarity about the rust of riches. It not only frets and blackens the gold and silver with stealthy corrosion or slow dimming before the unsatisfied eyes of the selfish holders, but the slow burning rust has, figuratively,

a mysterious power of transferring itself to those who are culpably responsible for its gathering there; and it will also be a sharp accusing witness against their distrust of God and their cold unlovingness toward man. St. James says, “Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.”

Strange words, too little thought upon, but full of deep and terrible significance. Hands that might have been beautiful and clean, through timely gifts, wise production, and bountiful expenditure, are now blackened and foul with the tormenting, slow-eating rust of the riches they loved too well. And the slow-devouring heat of the rust of riches no tears can quench.

Therefore it were well to give earnest, timely heed to the inspired injunction: “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 for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”—Selected.