Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-22

Unless modern men learn the lesson
taught in our study this week our
generation Is doomed. Civilization Is
endangered wherever wealth accumu-
lates and men decay. 1.-THE love Of
money Is the root Of all evil" In this
weeks lesson we are impressed with the
high moral character of the young ruler
Of the synagogue, who when ne was
compelled by the Lord Jesus 70 chose
between gold and God, was swayed by
his passion for wealth to the extent
that he refused to give up his riches
and follow Christ In q life of self-dental,
sacrifice and service. The one thing
that has helped to stabilize our own
Nation IN all our past crises has been
It's idealisni, based upon the teachings
Of the Lord Jesus. II In our quest for
riches we reject the religion of the
Lord Jesus. we are doomed. We can
the alternative today: Shall we serve
gold or God? Shall we seek riches or
religion?
Twelve centuries after the events Of
this lesson took place "a young man,
Of fair worldly prospects, of high spirits,
Of pleasing department, Of creditable ex-
traction" heard this lesson read In pub
lie. He made literal application Of 1t
to his own life, turned his back upon
his wealth and became poor. Others
were Influenced by his example and
joined with him in assuming the VOWS
Of poverty. They constitute the great
Order Of the Mendicant Friars, whose
ministry As Franciscans Is one Of the
great organizations Of the Roman Cath
Ollie Church. The practicable applica-
ton Of the teachings Of this lesson to
our own personal life u the problem
that we face In our endeavor to follow
Christ.
The Rich Rulers Problem.
Our Lord was making His last journey
TO Jerusalem. He was passing through
Perea, when His progress was arrested
by q rich young man, who came run
ming from behind in his earnestness and
eagerness to secure few minutes with
the Lord Jesus, just as He was leaving
the community, where He was one of
the civic leaders. His riches and high
moral character enabled him to serve as
one Of the 10 rulers Of the local syna-
gogue. He may have been one Of the
three rulers Of the 10, who devoted all
their time to the affairs of the syna-
gogue and study. He had been attract
ed to the Master and sought in q re-
spectful way, by kneeling before Him, to
ask the Lord the question that was per-
picking his religious life, Good Teacher,
what shall I do that I may inherit
eternal life?"
He had brought the spiritual perplexi-
ties Of his life to the only One who
could solve them. The young ruler had
made fundamental error In his think
ing that by his efforts he could obtain
eternal life. It Is by being, not doing,
that we are assured eternal life and can
enter the Fathers home. The Great
Physician did not object to being called
good" II 1t had not been spoken in q
superficial manner, so He probed the
soul Of the young man by . series of
questions that opened up to the religious
ruler the defects Of his life, which he
apparently had considered to be above
reproach. Although in his outward OBJ
Servance Of the religious requirements
he had been faithful, his question re-
vealed q spiritual unrest In his life.
Jesus revealed by His questions that the
young man had outwardly lived life
that was Of such o noble character that
the Master loved him. His defects were
hidden. He was proud Of the fact that
he had kept all the commandments
from his youth up. He had overlooked
what men are neglecting to consider
today as never before in the worlds
history, their relation to God. He was
thinking only OF his acts In reference
to his fellow men. When Jesus met him
on his own ground Of doing, the rich
young man revealed that he was q very
selfish and intensely worldly man. He
refused to give up his gold. He declined
to accept the Masters invitation to join
His forces. He was unwilling to put
God first and follow Jesus In q life of
poverty, marked by self-denial, sacrifice
and service.
The Deceitfulness Of Riches.
When the rich young ruler left Jesus
sorrowfully, because he had put his de-
sire for riches ahead of his longing for
eternal life, our Lord pointed out to His
disciples the deceitfulness of riches.
Christ knew how the one whom he
loved when he was going away was
bitterly disappointed because the Lord
had revealed the one thing that he
lacked. He expected that the Master
would indorse his ideas He hoped that
He would tell him 10 do something so
that by doing one great thing he could
settle the whole question Of eternal
life forever. Jesus settled It for him
in O way that did not appeal TO the |
rich young man, whose selfshness |
made him unwilling to deny self, bear |
his cross and live as steward Of God !
He had put q trust In the power of |
riches that made him forget his per-
sonal need Of fellowship with Jehovah. !