layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (Luke xii. 16, &c.) We have here set before us a striking picture of a man whose happiness (if such know what happiness means) is confined to the present life, making a God of the things of this world, and looking no farther. What a pity it is that the providential mercies of God should be thus abused, and that what he bestows upon any for their comfort and convenience in life, should become the cause of their everlasting misery! We can never be sufficiently thankful to our heavenly Father for the temporal blessings he is pleased to bestow upon us; but if we abuse these his mercies, and in attending to things of this life, lose sight of what relates to our everlasting peace, we shall have a fearful charge to answer at the awful day of judgment. How completely hesotted was this man, how lost to every thing that was noble and generous! for he seems to have had no thought of doing good with his great possessions; nothing occupied his thoughts but taking his ease, and indulging himself with the abundance bestowed upon him: whereas it was his duty to have been a friend to the friendless, to feed the hungry, and clothe the naked. It is for this purpose that God increaseth our wealth; and only as we thus use the plenty bestowed upon us, are we fulfilling the designs of our Maker. His perishing body occupied all his concern, while his precious, never-dying soul was forgotton; and alas! this is the case with multitudes; but what will their surprise be, when death unexpectedly seizes them! They will then find that a man is not profited, "though he should gain the whole world, if he lose his own soul." (Mark viii. 36.) O, study to use the things which God bestows upon you to his glory, and in proportion as wealth increases endeavour to be increasingly useful; so will you be answer ing the purposes of the Lord, and be a blessing in your day and generation; and, above all, study to have your hearts set upon heaven, that, like the good steward, you may be ready when your accounts shall be demanded, and when God shall require your soul, you may be found numbered with his redeemed people. |