The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-11-12
The Danger of Riches,

(Selected for The Times ID spatch.) d
How hardly shall they that have
riches enter into the kingdom OF God.'-.
st. Luke xviii "a
1s 1t easy. then, for poor people to
enter the kingdom Of God? Our Lord
did not say so. 1t is always difficult
to enter into that kingdom. 1t is not
entered by wealth. nor is it entered by
poverty; these are but external circum-
stances. It Is the heart alone which
enters there.
We cannot enter into the reasoning of
this young rulers mind; but of one thing
we may be sure. there YVES much good
In him, for Jesus beholdlng him. loved
him" His youths his beauty his mod
esty, his sincerity, all appealed to the
Master; he looked upon him, seeing his
whole heart and his motives, and yet
loved him. II tho Lord could have
saved him this test, He would! If He
could have thrown wide open the gate
into the kingdom He would have done
So But that kingdom has its laws
Christ represented those laws ,obeyed
them. Insisted upon them; therefore. this
comely young man would not be allowed
to enter until he, too. had conformed
TO them. Not his money, nor his station,
only himself could squeeze through that
Strait and narrow gate
1t was critical moment for the Lord
Himself. He had to set precedents In
His own church. by which all succeed
Ing Christian ages and institutions should
regulate their actions. Was it no tompta-
cause held In social contempt? Might
not one rich man bring other rich men,
and SO create a fashion?
But there can be no fashion in cruci-
hxion. Calvary can never be popular.
The cross can never be custom Of the
day. We do not, cannot enter that
Kingdom by money or w.t. by genius
learning pedigree. or aught that is Incl
dental or external. Only by the way
OF the cross do men pass into Christ's
Kingdom.
This disciples were troubled. They
thought g great opportunity had been
| Master, salvation was simply Impossible.
How could the kingdom get on without
| such people as this rich young man?
! "Who, then. can be saved?" they ask
with wondcrment.
Our Lord explained the whole question
l
in one word by saying, "Chlldren, they
that trust not In riches. There Is no
harm In riches OF themselves. They may
be instruments of the greatest possible
good. In right hands the world Is better
and happier for q Christian administra-
| ton of wealth. The Lord is not abusing
or condemn!ng riches; but lie Is pointing
out that men may trust IN their riches,
may rely on their power, idoize their
own possessions; thus. be unwilling and
unit to take the step which leads from
| tho material to tho spiritual.
our Lord did not say It was inpos-
! sible: he said II was hard. And Is 1t not?
Let those answer who all their lives have
used their money to make life easy,
! minister to their pride or comfort, The
/. very thing they have trusted In now
makes their upward progress hard"
I Riches do not refer alone to money,
There arc riches OF many kinds-centres
/ OF pride, OF vanity. OF self-trust and
idolatry. OF pleasure and self-lnterest
THE whole fabric must be shaken to lts
base, torn up by its foundations, ORE
Christ viii begin TO build.
1 Notice tho dcceitfulncss OF all kinds Of
Riches. Riches may corrupt the best ant
purcst OF you. Take caro-! "The cares
Of NE" are classed with "the deceitful,
ness OF riches In drawing away the SOU
i from II It's eternal destiny. beware OF
both: shun all and everything that HIN
ders In that supreme struggle for enter
ance into His Kingdom.
You cannot bring your riches with yol