Arkansas State press., 1945-11-30

Peace ana the postwar period find
america, and in fact the entire
world, plunged into tremendous eco
monte problems far too deep fer any
man or group Of men to solve We
hoiior those who are laboring day
ana night to meet the threat of UNI
employment the question OF recon.
version and REIMBURSEMENT to civilian
production. OF feeding a hungry
world, etc But we say again. they
cahhot find the answers in the wis
dom OF men; hey must have the
wisdom of God
We need to turn anew TO the eco
nonnlc principles taught in God 5
word. II men will only recognize
them, and deal with their fellow
men in the light Of their teaching
the many knotty problems viii sure
ly find solution,
There is need. frs, OF all, of a
fundamental philosophy concerning
possessions which will make man
deal properly with them. The frst
section OF our lesson says to US:
l. Think Right About Wealth
GDeut, BIT, l8l.
How ,renchant and altogether At.
ting are the words OF Scripture!
Nothing could describe our times
more succinetly and accurately than
verse II Men are glorying In their
ability to do things
Man has even gone 50 far as to de.
velop weapon OF warfare. the
atomic bomb. so powerful that he
fears Il might be used to wipe out
all civilization Even secular lead.
ers are NOW saying that We must
have spiritual rebirth II we are to
use such things for good and not for
evil Man needs God now more than
ever.
We honor those who by skiLfl
hand and brilliant brain produce ex-
eellent and thrilling results But our
question is. How many are there
who say, God has done this thing;
He gave the strength and the skill;
His is the honor? Some there are
who thus recognize Him. but they
are few indeed Their name is le-
gion who say in their heart My
power and the might OF mine hand
hath gotten me this wealth" " III.
Joseph Parker points out tha, a
deep conviction of the fact stated IN
verse 10 would turn human history
into a sacrament He says, what
a blow this text strikes al one Of
the most popular and mischievous
fallacies in common life; namely.
that man is the maker OF his own
money!"
II. Act Right About Wealth duke
I213-2D.
Most Of us think OF money as
something we want to get hold of
and use for ourselves. but If it be-
longs to God, and we are only his
stewards. we must put away that
impulse. Take heed" said Jesus.
land beware OF covetousness" ".
10. II Is a deadly and deadening
sin. all too common even among
Christian people.
The teaching Of this whole pas
sage OF Scripture is so directly OPP
posite to all ideas regarding such
matters accepted by the world at
large. that 1t may be a total sur
prise to some readers and attend.
ants at Bible school.
The yardstick Of success in the
world for an individual, an organiza-
ton, or nation. yes, even for many
church. is the possession OF
wealth. or property, or other
things. Write II in large letters
on the hearts and minds Of our boys
and girls, A mans life consistent
not in the abundance of the things
which he possesseth" ". l5).
The one who was known to mis-
friends land to himself as "a rich
man" ". l6), but whom God knew
as fool ". 20). had more than
he could use for himself He had TO
build new and bigger barns. and
could not see the barns" that were
already prepared, for as Ambrose
says, Thou hast Earns the
bosoms of the needy, the houses Of
widows, the mouths Of orphans and
infants"
He was a fool who loved money
for itself and for himself. One won
ders what he had to say for him
self when that very night he was
called into the presence OF God TO
give an account OF his stewardship
". 20). II you are similarly situ-
sted and have the same attitude,
what will you say In that day.
There is an important point
which we must note. Jesus expressly
repudiated the connecting OF His
name with the so-called Social
gospel" In His reply ". l4) to the
question OF the covetous fellow who
regarded his inheritance as Of more
importance than brotherly love.
Those who are ignoring the gospel
OF redemption and claiming Jesus
as social reformer, or the Judge
and divider" OF some new economic
solution for the worlds ills. need
to read and ponder this verse.
Every Christian is interested deep
~ In social problems, but knows that
the frst concern OF Christ and His