LORD JESUS Christ ~ Our Exceeding Great Reward

"For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." -I Timothy 6:10 [KJV]

How hard to persuade a man, that there is any evil in that which he loves! Evil in money! what evil can there be in that which will purchase all things? Truly, we may say of money as one said of a pack of cards. Being asked, what harm there is in them? replied, None at all: they are very innocent things, if you will not meddle with them. So is money. But there is a curse in the love of it. There is the root of all evil. What mighty ills have not been done by this? Why, the love of money will dethrone God in the heart, and make a man an idolater. “Covetousness is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5.) 

Can there in all the world be a greater evil than this? Is not this the root of all evil? Do not all evils spring from hence? Love of money was the same in the apostle’s days as it is now. Some then, as well as now, coveted after it. Some! Who? Men who know nothing about the gospel, or faith? Not so; for, “They erred from the faith.” So that it is plain, they either had, or professed to have had, faith. How did they err? 

(1st.) They mistook the nature of faith: that brings God and Christ, and heaven into the soul, and creates perfect happiness there. Money, or no money, such a soul says, the Lord is my portion; and with St. Paul, I am full (Philippians 4:18.) But some have only an empty notion, which they mistake for faith. This brings no spiritual enjoyment into the heart. Hence they seek it in money. 

(2d.) They erred, or went out of the way of faith. Faith sees every enjoyment as the gift of God—is satisfied with it, and thankful for it. But where there is a greedy, insatiable desire after money, if such persons really have faith, they will go out of the way of faith to obtain it. They will rack their very brains, distress their minds, and wear out their bodies in pursuit after riches. And what is the consequence, after all this erring from the faith? Wretched gain of riches! They pierce themselves through with many sorrows. 

Sorrows, to get riches; sorrows, to keep them; sorrows, how to dispose of them; sorrows, to think they must leave them. But, sorrow above all sorrows! a good God forsaken, a precious Christ despised, a glorious gospel rejected, an immortal soul neglected, for the love of money. O my dear Lord, let me see and enjoy Thee as my best gain, my truest riches. May my heart cleave to Thee in stedfast faith, abide in Thee by sincere love, walk with Thee in precious communion, die in Thee with sweet tranquillity, and reign with Thee in eternal glory. What harm in money can there be? Then why not covet more? Lord, it allures the heart from Thee, And binds it to our store.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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