MOST householders know what it is to have a visit from an insurance agent. A short time ago one of them called on a certain lady, and in the usual way began pressing her to have her life insured. After he had about exhausted all the arguments which he could bring to bear upon her, and saw that it was to be useless, he asked if the furniture was insured. “No,” answered the lady. “What!” he exclaimed, “have you nothing insured?” “No,” again came the answer, “nothing for this world, but everything for the next.” Of course the agent did not care to pursue the subject any further, and took his departure.
We could not, however, help thinking when we heard of it, what a blessed thing it was to be able to give such an answer. Dear reader, might we put the oft-repeated question to you, “Are you insured?” We do not mean your life, as it is generally understood, nor your house, or furniture—in fact, we do not ask whether you have anything insured for this world, but in all affection we would ask, “Are you insured for the next?”
Are you one of those who, through grace, can say, “We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:11For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1)).
This is the best insurance that we know of. That word “eternal” makes it worth more than all the insurance companies in the world. Perhaps you think this questionable, considering that one fire and life company advertise their accumulated funds as being over thirteen millions.
That certainly seems to be a sure concern. Well, dear friend, let us suppose you have an interest in that company. It may be your life, your house, and furniture are all insured. Surely you might go about day after day with an easy mind as far as these things are concerned; but in spite of all your forethought you have not gone to the root of the matter; for there is a day coming, and coming soon, when not only your house and furniture, but the insurance company, with its thirteen millions, will all disappear. “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:1010But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)).
Seeing then, dear friend, the uncertainty of all that is on earth, would it not be better for you to be insured in the heavenly company? The conditions are easy, sure, and lasting. If you would have an interest in that company, you must have an interest in Christ. Do you know Him? ―Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. Are you a sinner? If so, put out the hand of faith, and take Christ as your Saviour. He will incorporate you with the heavenly company, which will last forever. The policy, which is the precious blood of Christ, will entitle you to a share ill all the benefits of the company, and it is free. There are no yearly premiums to be kept up. No, all is of grace, because all of God. It is just like God. He delights in grace.
Dear reader, we would press it upon you again in closing: Whatever else you may have a share in, be sure you have a share in this company. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”(Mark 8:3636For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36))
A. C.