The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-03-20
The Pursuit of Wealth.
Worldliness is bemoaned as the 6

WOrldllness IS bemOaned as tne great
cancer of the churches of Christ. One
of its most prevalent forms is the pur'
suit of wealth, and this in view of the
qualifications which it furnishes to those
who possess it. 1t is easy to rail against
it, but if "tbe love of money is the root
! of all evil" nevertheless it cannot be
again said that in many ways its posses
sion contributes to comfort. II may be
said that it cannot bribe away sickness
or death, but it can procure things which
greatly alleviate suffering, and a man
who knows his loved ones are tolerably
sure of being comfortably provided for
may be eased of painful anxieties.
Much that is said in depreciation OF
wealth is sheer nonsense and, it goes
without saying, is utterly destitute of
scriptural sanction.
Nevertheless, many Christian people
are appraising wealth too highly and
making gold their confidence to an extent
which is perilous to their best interests.
1t is still true. 'They that will be rich
fall into temptation and q snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts which
drown men in destruction and perdition." ."
Our theology may lead us to believe that
no true believer will be drowned in per-
dition, but no one can live long without
seeing how often those Christians who,
to use the new version, are minded" 10
be rich, are ensnared and show them.
selves victims of many foolish and hurt
full desires. They certainly cannot
escape chastisement.
With no disposition to depreciate the
value of wealth, it is we'll to remind
Christian people of its uncertainty.
Much of it must necessarily be entrusted
to others, and, so long as human nature
remains what it is, there will be misap.
propriations, defalcations, and losing in.
veslments. The most careful men are
sometimes mistaken in their investments
aud "riches take to themselves wings and
fly away"
Money cannot give character. ga
good name is rather to be chosen than
great riches" 1t has been truly said,
"A man may be grandee on the ex.
change and pauper in Gods universe.
The time comes when character will be
the one thing which will appear impor-
tant.
Happiness is not certainly associated
with worldly possessions. The inner
history of many rich man is one Of
constant worry. The Saviour's teaching
is still true, "a mans life consisteth not
in the abundance of the things which he
possesseth." Inward thought and feeling
have far more to do with our happiness
than outward circumstances.
The notion that wealth is sure means
of happiness, thoug b manifest tallacy,
is one that multitudes persistently
cherish. Some one has said that "few
thoughtful men would undergo the en-.
tire stewardship of a large estate on a
positive bargain that they should receive
no more for taking care Of it than ordi-
narily falls into the lap of the owner"
And our rich men are candid enough to
acknowledge that all they receive beyond
their daily wants, for the burdens i'm
posed by wealth with its attendant disad-
vantages and anxieties, make large pos.
sessions doubtful coed. This fact
should convince us that the scramble
after wealth is due to wrong estimate of
its worth, and is adapted 10 restrain men
in its too eager pursuit.
And let none forget the responsibilities
of wealth. "Unto whomsoever much is
given, of him shall be mach required"
In world in which there is SO much
suffering, which wealth might mitigate,
and so many millions periahiug for lack
of knowledge, it is fearful to contemplate
the position of those protesting to be fol-
lowers of Christ, who, not only make no
sacrifices, but give not even of their
abundance to serve the bodies and souls
of men. "Riches profit not in the day
of wrath" and many professors have
reason TO fear that their wealth will not
profit them in the day of f. al account
RnDtiM JVeek{U.