WHAT a difference between being rich in faith “and being” rich in this world” (1 Tim. 6:1717Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (1 Timothy 6:17)), or rather between those who are “the poor of this world, rich in faith,” and those who desire to be rich! The difference is important, for it is not money, but the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil. I do not know of anything that hinders spiritual growth like the desire to be rich. Read the warning to young men in 1 John 2:15: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,” &c. For such there can be no spiritual growth, no arriving at what is said of the fathers: “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning.”
I heard a little story lately that illustrates what I mean. A dear old woman, called Christy B―, lived at H―. She was one of the poor of this world, but rich in faith. A Christian lady visiting her one day found she had become the owner of a hen, with which she was much delighted, especially because the hen was a good layer, and she could sell the eggs. Next time, however, the lady went to see her, she found to her surprise that the hen was sold, and, on inquiring the reason, Christy told her that she had found herself so fond of looking after the eggs, and selling them, that she thought she was getting worldly, and fond of money, and so she had sold her hen. This was practically carrying out the admonition, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.”
Dear fervent old Christy had the spiritual instincts that make a father in Christ. She knew Him that was from the beginning, and she would neither let the world, nor the things that are in the world, share her heart with Him. Happy Christy she could say like the apostle, “To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!” And now she is with Christ, whom having not seen she loved. Like the widow with the two mites, who cast both into the treasury, Christy knew nothing of half measures. The hen came in between her and her Lord, and, although the hen was her all of this world’s goods, it must go. This was true discipleship—it was denying herself.
When I heard this story it made me feel ashamed. Reader, how does it affect you? We may well sing,
“O, pardon us, Lord! that our love to Thy name
Is so faint, with so much our affections to move!
Our coldness might fill us with grief and with shame,
So much to be loved, and so little to love.
O, kindle within us a holy desire,
Like that which was found in Thy people of old,
Who tasted Thy love, and whose hearts were on fire,
While they waited, in patience, Thy face to behold.”
Depend upon it, he is a happy man who has suffered loss for Christ. There is no investment like it. Nothing pays so well―see Mark 10:30,30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:30) “An hundred-fold now in this time,” that Isaiah 10,000 percent, with persecutions (for Christ’s sake), and eternal life in the world to come thrown in.
And now, reader, which are you? Rich in faith, or desiring to be one of the rich of this world? Very probably your possessions are much greater than Christy’s, but do they come between you and Christ? Is your heart set on them? Do you desire to be rich? You should read what is said in 1 Timothy 6:11: “But thou, O man of God, flee these things;” and, if inclined to be disobedient, think, with shame, of Christy and her hen.
W. M.