The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-18
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=e-6IBEE. E.sTuDY.oN DIFFICULTIES OF THE RICH
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'Ye cannot serve God and mammon. '' Luke 16:13
 It must have been an enthusing sight for Jesus disciples to see rich. young ruler run after the Master and kneel at His feet. saying: Good Master. what shall do that I may inherit eternal life?' The Great Teacher did not an- swer the question directly, but inquired why the title good was applied to Him. He would have the young man notice, and would have all to notice, that ev- erything really good must in some way be of God and in accordance with God.
 There were only two ways in which Jesus could be viewed. Either He was, as He claimed. the Son of God, come into the world on a special mission for humanity, and therefore a servant of God; or he was a deceiver, misrepre- senting Himself and deceiving the people. Jesus wished the young man to consider the force of his own ex- pression and to decide at once this im- portant question.
 What did Jesus mean by telling the young man that the way to everlasting life was by keeping of the command ments? We reply that the law cove nant was still in force in Israel, as it had been for more than 16 centuries. Gods promise to the Jews was "He that doeth these things shall live by the doing of them" All the Jews un- derstood this: and this young ruler confessed that he had been striving to live according to this rule. Yet he realized that he was dying. like the remainder of the race. Jesus answer signifies. you should not strive only to keep the law, but must be sacri- ficer. and take up your cross and follow my example"
 We are not hastily to suppose that Jesus meant that the riches should be given away reckIessly or indiscrimi- nately. Had the young man agreed to the terms and asked the Lord how best he could distribute his wealth. we doubt not that the Lord would have said: {: "Give it all to God, and then as His steward distribute 1t according to the
 wisdom God will give you" Ecven this full surrender of earthly possessions would not be sufficient One who would gain a place in the kingdom must become active in the Lords serv- ice take up his, cross, practice self denial, and follow patiently in the narrow way of self-sacrifice, in the footprints of the Redeemer.
 After the close of the Jewish age Jesus would plaintly have stated the impossibility of any imperfect persons Keeping the divine law perfectly and the necessity of having the imputa- ton of Christ's merit to cover his inn perfections Only thus can the right eousness of the law be fulfilled-in us who are walking, not after the flesh, but after the spirit
 Sorrowful! For Very Rich
 The young rulers riches were not of themselves harmful The difficulty was that he had set his heart upon them, so that when the test came, he demonstrated that he loved God less than he loved his earthly property. He forsook the oppor- tunity to do the greatest good, and thus turned his back upon membership in the Kingdom class. We are not, however. to understand that there is no hope for that young man who had such noble charac- ter that Jesus loved him. Even though missing the Kingdom opportunities. he may be one of the multitude blessed by the kingdom. With all now being called out of the world to be sons of God and 1oint-heirs with Christ, the test is, God first" We should have no idols, either wealth or fame or selfish ease, which might attract our devotion away from God and tempt us to leave the rich bless ings which He is now offering.
 Few Rich in the Kingdom
 The rich young rulers failure to be- come a disciple on Jesus terms furnished text for Jesus. He said to His disciples How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of God! For 1t IS easier for q camel to go through the