Extravagance, Wealth, and Poverty
We read in the despatches for July 31 of a wealthy lady holding regular funeral services over a dog, burying it in a child's zinc-lined casket, with solemn rites and eloquent tribute paid to the animal. A short time ago a dog was sent in a special private car, accompanied by a woman, an expert dog doctor, and an eminent veterinary, clear across the continent to the best dog doctor in the world, in New York, at an expense of $2,500 to $3,000. Of course those who have wealth have the legal authority to use it as they will; and yet these things, what might be called wanton extravagances, are stirring up many souls, engendering class hatred, and the outcome will be seen by and by in bloodshed and violence. It would be well if those who are superabundantly rich would find a means of spending their wealth in benefiting humanity. How much better it would be if the thousands of dollars spent on cats and dogs were used to relieve the poor and the sick and the needy among the children of men! Sometime the prophecy in Habakkuk will be fulfilled to the rich: "Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?" Hab. 2:7. A New Testament prophecy declares, "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you." James 5:1. Yet it is not God's plan that the oppressed shall meet oppression with retaliation. In the same connection the Lord speaks to His own children, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." All who make God their trust can afford to leave to His final adjustment all differences. God rules, and in infinite wisdom waits. Leave it with Him. Eternity in glory will vindicate His prophetic justice. Remember that — "The evil can not brook delay;
The good can well afford to wait."