Evening star., 1921-01-15
Sunday School Lesson

and not the mere physical observance.
He did not see what Jesus pointed out
that to hate is to murder, to covet
is to steal and to lust is to commit
righteousness. he was going about to
establish his own Righteousness" "
Heaven cannot be bought by good
actions. while he thought that he
could by doing something more than
make certain his obtaining eternal
life. He did not consider his rela-
tionse to Jehovah, for he was think
Ing of doing something good for men.
When Jesus gave him the acid test,
meeting him on his own ground. that
OF doing, he refused. He was a self
cente red. sordid and selfish person.
His longing for a future life was due
to his desire to be satisfied. He want
ed to do good. not for the purpose of
making the world better. but because
piness as a reward Of his services.
His refusal to do as Jesus command
ed can be traced to his wealth. He
was very wealthy and his love for
gold kept him from obeying Christ.
ne was not willing to share the
which he. as trustee. ought to have
used as the Lord directed for the ben
eft Of humanity. Jesus did not oues-
tion his title to his wealth, but he
pointed out how he could prove his
j professions by providing for the poor
| was apparently stunned for a mo-
| ment. His self-righteousness lacked
| the depths Of sincerity. He could not
| comply with the demands Of Jesus
for life OF self-denial. sacrifice and
! service. He parted with Christ and
| went away mad. but his sorrow was
not one. that would work repentance
II we are to share Christ's offer Of
| eternal life We must be ready and
Wiling to give up our all for the
ruler saw that his profession was SUI.
perficial. but he went. away from the
Lord and the opportunity to obtain
eternal life. Some have Suggested
that he returned again, even, main
tanning that he was no other than
| dation for this theory.
Christ's offer of a reward to the
rich young ruler. II he would sell All
his possessions and follow the Master
of treasure in heaven. prompted Peter
to raise the question Of rewards, es-
left all to follow Him. They were
I still looking for the immediate estah.
lishment of the kingdom, although
Christ had tried to make clear To
them that their views were wrong.
In answering Peter. the Master made
every true follower would Certainly
receive a splendid reward, but this
reward was not to be given in pro-
portion to the service rendered. but in
accordance with the spirit in which
the work was performed
Jesus pointed out to the discinles
the dangers of riches to ones spirit !.
ual life. It is not the possession of
riches that is sinful. but the in
ordinate desire for gold and wealth
that is dangerous. The love Of
money instead Of God makes it d;ffi.
cult for those who trust in their
gold ito enter into the Kingdom ;,
The young ruler cared more for his
gold than. he did for his soul his
neighbor or his God. He represented
by his turning away from Christ the
his disciples. The Master did not
teach that he could not be saved. hut
he pointed out how his love Of wealth
would interfere with his performing
his duty as a professed. Christian.
sharing the earthly experience of the
Christian warfare and victory, The
present wave Of crime that has swept
over the world has it's roots in the
love OF money. Men have been per-
forming all sorts Of sinful acts for
money.
This was a new angle of truth to
them, since they had been in the