The Lust of Riches

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Sep 23, 1875

The Lust of Riches.

The lust of becoming rich is one of the most prevalent evils of the present day. It gives rise to wild and dishonest schemes, to reckless speculation, to a reckless mania for anything which promises extraordinary gain, and ultimately to wide-spread ruin. There underlies this a desire for self-indulgence, an aversion to healthful, plodding industry, and work for our neighbor’s good. We wish not to render uses to others, but only to make them subservient to ourselves. Such a course is replete with anxiety and with danger. We rest not in the Lord but in ourselves. We have no peace, but an over-agitated mind. We walk on hollow ground, and fear every moment it will sink under us. Thus is a painful uncertainty our constant companion, and not unfrequently insanity is the result. Oh, how much better would it be to rest patiently for Him. The gain may be slower, but what of that? All the real necessities and comforts of life are supplied, and what want we with more? “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

The prosperity of the wicked is often the only means of making them useful to society. Outward success will often stimulate them to make gigantic efforts for human improvement, and they cannot benefit themselves without benefiting others. Such are the admirable laws of divine order and wisdom, that selfishness is compelled to minister to the public good, and this willingly.—Sel.