DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES.
By James White
In Matt. xiii, we have the parable of the sower. The seed sown fell in four different places, or kinds of ground. Said Jesus, "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom," &c. The seed sown, then illustrates the word of the kingdom—not the story of the cross, nor of Christ's priesthood while on his Father's throne, but the word relating to the coming and kingdom of Christ. "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way-side."
Here is a perfect illustration given of the mass who come out to hear the word of God relating to the coming and kingdom of Christ, but not understanding it, nor feeling the importance of the subject, are at once turned away by the popular ministry. "But he that received seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."
We witness a class of persons who embrace unpopular Bible truth without counting the cost. They are ignorant of the many trials to be endured in the christian course. They at first see only the bright side, and do not learn that it is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God. How unprepared for fiery trials are such. They endure but for a while. "When tribulation, or persecution ariseth because of the word, they are offended." "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."
Reader, pause and reflect upon the unhappy condition of this class. They are among thorns! And what are these thorns? Ans. Riches, and the cares of this world, which riches bring upon those who have them. "The care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word." How painfully true this is of a great portion of those who have received the word of the kingdom! How many are pierced with thorns! Their minds are pressed with the cares of this world, and there is not room for the word to live in them, and bring forth fruit. Thorns are in their hearts. The word cannot bring forth fruit in them. It is choked by thorns. They reach out for more, but it is thorns.
Behold the dying miser! His life has been miserably spent in getting rich. Now he must leave his wealth, perhaps to profligate, unthankful sons. He dies upon a bed of thorns.
And how deceitful are riches. Most people regard them as necessary to happiness in this life; but what a deception. Who are the worthy, responsible worldly men? Ans. Poor men's sons! Children of the poor are also the pillars of the church. While popular vice and splendid misery are the portion of most of the rich. Those who toil early and late to accumulate wealth for their children are laboring to entail on them an evil. They weave for them a garment of thorns.
We now come to believers in the Third Message. When we see them depriving themselves of the means of grace, giving themselves but little time to read the word, for prayer, and to meet with those of like faith, yet eager to add to their wealth, we must regard them as not only being influenced by the deceptive power of riches, but made insane by it. There is no reason, no consistency, no sanity in such a course. And here is where quite a portion of the church are dying. "The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word," and they are becoming unfruitful. "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty."
The good ground has depth of soil. The plow-share of conviction has run deep, and broken up the "fallow ground" of the heart. The word of the kingdom takes deep root. Thorns and all bad weeds are kept out. And O the fruit! "Some an hundred-fold, some sixty, and some thirty."
Mark this. God calls all, but he chooses "the poor of this world, rich in faith." The word of the kingdom finds most of the "heirs of the kingdom" poor in this world. And thank God, it is the privilege for the rich in this world to become poor, and heirs of the kingdom of God.
But how? Let the Master answer. "Sell that ye have, and give alms, provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens." Luke xii, 36.
J. W.