The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-09-13


stranger in the crowd, who had been lis
.ening to the address Jesus had been de-
.ivering to His disciples. Speak to my
BROTHER This was evidently family
dispute about the property that was to be
divided. We are not told any of the pan
lculars, but Jesus proceeds Immediately,
by parable, to show the result of crafty
ng covetous spirit.
IA. Man" Apparently in reproof "a
Judge or divider." In matters of this
nature Christ would not assume either
legislative power to alter the settled rule
ot inheritance, or judicial power to de-
.ermine controversies. This shows that
Christ's kingdom is spiritual and not of
his world. 1t does not interfere with civil
powers, or encourage our expectations of
worldly advantages.
Is. Take heed" Covetousness is sin
which we have need constantly to watch
against, and therefore frequently to be
warned against. "Of covetousness." All
Inordinate desires. Such a disposition of
| mind is never satisfied; for as soon as one
object is gained, the heart goes out after
another. Mans life CONSISTENT not, ETC."
Our happiness and comfort do not depend
lpon our having great deal OF this world.
|. The life of the soul doth not depend
upon it, and the soul is the man. 2. The
life and happiness Of the body doth not
depend upon the abundance of earthly
things.
short and taaDstorv 20 life teaih T6 ow
That the great duty of all, both rich and
poor, is to be rich toward God. The para
Die consists of two parts, of which the
first shows the folly and the second the
sin and danger of caring for what is be-
yond our present need, WHICH is the char
plentifully." He did not acquire his
wealth dishonesty, but it was given him
by his Creator. What good he might have
accomplished had he used it in a proper
manner instead of boarding it up.
II. He thought within himself" The
have. l. Discomfort. 2; AAnxieties and
cares. 8. False hopes. 4. The terror Of
osing their possessions. What shall l
do" That his increased prosperity offers
him opportunity to do something for his
poor brethren, does not even enter his
mind, selfshness strikes, the keynote. BE
cause | have no room" The poorest beg
gar in the country, who did not know
where to obtain the next meal, coulI not
have been more anxious. The more men
have the more perplexity they have with
it. and yet the more anxious they are to
obtain more. 'To bestow my fruits" A
wise man will desire no more than what
be can get justly, use soberly, distribute
cheerfully, and leave contentedly. One of
the greatest evils to-day is the spirit of
greed" which has taken possession of so
many.
49, "This will do" Man proposes. l.
How boastful He says my, fruits, my
ihortsiqhted! He speaks Of many years as
a certainty. g. How selfish! There is no
provision made for others. 4. How I'M
worthy! His idea of life is low one; in
dolent ease, eating. drinking and merry
making. Build greater" This was the
room for his earthly goods. He was plan
ming to hoard them ''alP' up.
10. Il will say to my soul" The soul,
considered as an immortal spirit, was no
way interested in barn full Of corn, or a
bag full of gold. The soul has exigencies
and desires which these things will in no
way satisfy. Take thine ease, ETC." This
was exactly the creed of the ancient athe-
lists. What a wretched portion for an i'm
mortal spirit! and yet those who know
not God have no other and many of them
not even this. Eat, drink, and be merry"
The ambition of many worldlings seems to
rise no higher than this. They serve the
70 crafty the flesh. what shall we eat :?
or, what shall we drink? or, wherewithal
shall we be clothed?" is their principal
creed. Paul shows the outcome of such
life in Phil. 81 IS, 49,,
90 "But God said" Sooner or later
| SOQ Will SPEAK, anu our worthy pIdllS VIII
be interfered with. Thou fool" His
folly is fourfold. l.. He forgets God. 2.
He appropriates all he receives to himself.
g. He counts these things soul-food. 4.
He thinks not of death. l. Looking at
this man simply in the light of this world.
He is, (a) Wise. (b) Industrious, (cl
Careful and frugal. (d( Thoughtful and
(g) Influential. .. Looking at him in the
| light of eternity this wise and successful
man turns out to be a fool. He shows hi:
folly, (a) In his total misapprehension OF
the true end of life. (b) In his
misrepresentation OF the nature and and
his mistaken notion of the right use Of
wealth. (d) In the proposals WHICH he
makes to himself in respect to time: his
! night" Immediately, with no time, Tor
preparation. Is thy soul required of
thee?" (R. W That is, thou shalt be
called upon to leave this; world and meet e
thy God. He has lost all. He comes be,
fore his Judge with a lost name-God
SAYS, Thou fool" lost soul; lost world
| his possessions must be left behind; and
a lost heaven. Whose shall those things
be-" 1t will not matter to him into whose
hands they pass. This is only an emphatic
way .. s ssy IS Se a' Here ir s personal app-
cation of the truths taught to his hearers.
| and also to us. This is not an individual
case. All who make this life their portion
and are destitute of the salvation of God,
shall sooner or later be surprised in the
same way. For himself" For himself
only. A covetous man gains riches to
| please and crafty himself, with no thought
| of the good he ought TO do with his wealth.
as not rich toward God" Does not lay
| up treasure in heaven. We can be rich to-
ward God by turning what we possess
over to God Prov. 10: II. How thankful
we ought to be that God has granted
lis the privilege of entering with Him in
the work of saving men from sim.
% "Be not anxious for your life" (R.
W Do not allow the things of this life to
cause undue anxiety and unrest. Prudent
care is not forbidden, but only anxious,
| distracting care. We should be diligent in
business and yet trust God for all things
%. 1.-The life is more than meat" The
| God who has given the greater things-the
| life and the body will surely give the
| smaller-food and raiment The God who
provides for the ravens, the lilies and the
| grass Tvs. 24-2Sl viii surely provide for
| His disciples. The farmer who feeds his
| chickens will certainly feed his children.
80 We of little faith, "'"your Father know
eth that we have need of these things"