IS IT THE END OR THE MEANS?
FELLOW-CHRISTIAN, what are you working for, the end or the means? By end we mean the goal to be achieved, the ultimate object to be attained. By means we mean that by which the object is gained, the end accomplished. Which are you working for, the end or the means? There is need of the question being asked in these days, not only by the world at large, but by Christians. What is your object in eating? Is it simply to satiate the appetite, to tickle the palate, to eat this or that because it tastes good? or do you eat for the sake of health, in order to build up a sound body and a clear mind? Do you eat that you may be better fitted to help others in life and thereby "glorify God"? or do you simply eat to please your taste? The food and its eating is the means; the glory of God, man's highest good, is, or ought to be, the end. Many men are striving for the gold of earth. But for? Is it the gold itself they desire? If so, they are seeking only the means. Gold is worthless only as it feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, ministers in some way to the needs of humanity, and so glorifies God. As an end, it is worthless; as a means to an end, it is powerful for great good. Many Christian parents are educating their children; many young men and women are endeavoring to educate themselves. Why? What do they seek? For what are they striving? Is it certain attainments in language, mathematics, history, or science? When you reach those, young men, will you be satisfied? Parents, are you satisfied with this? Education is nothing only as it proves a means to some good end, some worthy object. If attainments tend to satisfy the student, if they give him an exalted idea of his own importance, if they make him proud, sufficient, and self-important, these things ought to be evidence to him that he is seeking the means instead of the end. In fact, he is making the means the end. He whose whole ambition is to be learned, whose aim is to attain certain accomplishments, is but an educated fool; while he who may have a very limited education, but who understands that knowledge is but a means by which a higher, nobler end may be reached, is in comparison a wise man. It is better to be an ignorant wise man than a learned fool. "The end [or object] of the commandment is charity [love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned." 1 Tim. 1:5. All that the worldly heart so prizes is nothing unless it leads to and eventuates in something better. The object—the only true object of life—is to glorify God. All things given us here, all opportunities, advantages, blessings, attainments, are to be used for that purpose; and while pleasant in themselves, they are only means to an end far nobler, grander, holier; and all their beauty and enjoyment should be used only as blessed incentives to the final goal. If Christians would ever keep this truth in mind, it would prove of great worth in their experience. We should not find so many superficial, self-satisfied ones who rest content on union with the church, or a certain knowledge of the truth, or a certain position in the work of God. They would see that these, over which so many are so satisfied and complacent, are additional means or helps by which God can be better glorified. Do we think that we should be more unhappy in seeking the end instead of the means?—Nay, we would be happier. Happiness comes in self-forgetfulness. It is a divine law that that which glorifies God is for the best good of His children, and therefore for their greatest and eternal happiness.