Nevada County picayune., 1890-06-18


 trHsf the 'rue riches,- Luke xvi II.
 Money is the representative of all earthly values, the exponent of all earthly good. It is in this sense, and with this view of the subject. that Solomon says. money aHswercth all things. And this view of the sub ject explains and Eliminates the re- markable declaration of the Apostle ! Paul. that the love of money is the root of all evil. In the Garden of Eden the tree of knowledge of good and evil was the test of charac- ter because it represented all the good and evil of which the world on its lower plaEe was capable-at least, this is the most rational and philosophical explanation of the se- lection of this particular tree to test mans loyalty to his Maker. It may also truly be remarked that money in its proper use represents all earth l ly blessings. while on the other hand its improper use or abuse represents all the evil that is in the world. Hence, it will be apparent that there is q striking analogy between the | test instituted before the fall, and the one which has been established since that event for the supreme trial of character.
 But whatever may be our views of the propriety or impropriety the tit- ness or unftness, of the test selected, the fact remains that our faithful ness or unfaithfuIness in the man agement of money is ordained by in finite wisdom as the supreme test of our moral character. It Is perfectly legitimate. however, for Us to ln- quire why money should have been SciGClCl lO llC tNNluNipii VI iIi 'NilNi things. The reason to our mind seems tO lie i'll T proper conception of the Use and value of money as q means to the accomplishment of wise and worthy ends. It is not reason able to suppose that he who enter | Fal-. f l,. nd X.ol n Al of money, and is thereby influenced to selfish accumulation or wanton cxtravagancc, thus demonstrating his unfitness to be intruSted with the management of carth's supreme good. that he should be intrusted af- ter this exhibition of unfaithfulness with the disposition and management of still more valuable goods. The man. therefore, who is dishonest or unfaithful in his conduct with refer cnce tO the mammOn of this world will not he intrustcd with the true riches, because he has given evidence beforehand that he is utterly unfit to be intrustcd with It's bestOwment and management. To bcstow the true riches upon such a person would be very much like casting pearls be- fore swine.
 A great and fearful responsibility, therefore, devOlycs upon every one in the management of financial af- fairs. Economy and honesty are the only safeguards against the terrible consequences involved in the with holding from Us the gift of the celes- tial riches. Our Savior character ize, Inc spiritual blessings of his Kingdom as the true riches. because they are intriu>icalIy excellent and will last forever, whereas riches of an earthly nature k corrupiibie in it's character, and liable at any time to be taken away from Us. Rust, fire, flood and thievc, may deprlvc us ot this riches. and death at last destroys all our title to it's posses sion. but the true riches grows bright CT with the lapse of time; no enemy can steal it from us, and death but enhances its value and increases its enjoyment.
 Reader, you and are on trial, and the issue i, joined for veal or woe. The manner in which we act in our t,aju"- Ni:h manrmon or money i> the supreme teet of our loyalty and devotion to God and right, and life is the term of our pro- bation. Let us endcaver to be faith fuI in that which is least, to make q wise and proper use of the un- righteous mammon. as it is termed in another place. and in this way we shall make friends of this earthly good, so that when we fail they will receive us into everlasting habita- tions. Perhaps the best maxim that biuuan yiotlom eyer has suggested