The midland journal., 1945-11-30

ne possessoth. f2.l5. - t%s$-3 ~
Peace and the postwar period find
America, and in fact the entire
world, plunged into tremendous eco
nomic problems far too deep for any
man or group of men to solve. We
honor these who are laboring day
and night to meet the threat of un-
employment, the question Of recon-
version and readjustment to civilian
production, of feeding a hungry
world, etc. But we say again, they
cannot find the answers in the wis.,
dom of rnen; they must have the
wisdom OF God.
We need to turn anew to the eco
nomic principles taught in Gods
Word. If men will only recognize
them, and deal with their fellow
men in the light Of their teaching,
the many knotty problems will sure
ly find solution.
There is need, first Of all, of
fundamental philosophy concerning
possessions which will make man
deal properly with them. The first
section Of our lesson says to us:
I. Think Right About Wealth
(Deut. 8:a7, 18).
How trenchant and altogether fit
ting are the words Of Scripture!
Nothing could describe our times
more succinctly and accurately than
verse II. Men are glorying in their
ability to do things.
Man has even gone so far as to de-
velop a weapon Of warfare, the
atomic bomb, so powerful that he
fears it might be used to wipe out
all civilization. Even secular lead
ers are now saying that we must
have q spiritual rebirth If we are to
use such things for good and not for
evil. Man needs God now more than
ever.
We honor those who by skillful
hand and brilliant brain produce ex-
cellent 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 5f mine hand
hath gotten me this wealth" ". ~.
Joseph Parker points out that q
deep conviction of the fact stated in
verse Is ''would turn human history
into sacrament" He says, "What
blow this text strikes at one of
the most popular and mischievous
fallacies in common life; namely,
that man is the maker of his own
money!"
III. Act Right About Wealth (Luke
12:13-2D.
Most of us think of money as
something we want to get hold Of
and use for ourselves, but IL it be-
longs to God, and we are only his
stewards, we must put away that
impulse. "Take heed" said Jesus,
"and beware of covetousness" ".
15). It 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 op-
posite to all ideas regarding such
matters accepted by the world at
large, that it 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
a church, is the possession Of
wealth, or property, or other
things" Write it in large letters
on the hearts and minds Of our boys
and girls, "a mans life consisteth
not in the abundance Of the things
which he possesseth" ". 15).
The onR who was known to his
friends (and to himself) as "a rich
man" ". 16), but whom God knew
as STOOL" ". 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 barns - 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). If you are similarly situ-
ated and have the same attitude.
what will you say in that day?
There is an important point
which we must note. Jesus expressly
repudiateii the connecting Of His
name with the so-called ''social
gospel" in His reply ". 14) 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.