WHILST young and still sowing wild oats, I formed a strong friendship for a young man who was engaged in the same business as myself. We had many things in common, but he seemed to have one overruling passion, which he often expressed in the words, “I must get rich first.”
When urged by one of the partners of the firm (who took an active part in Christian work in the district) to “seek the Lord while He may be found,” the one thought that pressed upon his mind was “I must get rich first before I become religious,” for, as he said, he had a vague idea that if he did not get rich before becoming religious he had little hopes afterwards.
When pressed by some of the “Goody-goody chaps” (as we called them) in the warehouse that “It is time to seek the Lord” (Hosea 10:1212Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. (Hosea 10:12)), he invariably cut them short with his uppermost thought, “I must get rich first.” He had one overruling desire—to become rich. For this he toiled, and to this end he devoted all his time and thoughts.
One Sunday he was passing a church and went in. The preacher’s text was, “SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.” Matt. 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33). These words went home like an arrow to his heart, and he resolved within himself that he would turn to the Lord and seek the salvation of his soul. But immediately afterwards he said to himself, “I must get rich first!” How many dupes has it led to find their portion in outer darkness, where, alas! they have “Time enough” to lament their mad rejection of offered pardon.
In the unsearchable ways of God he was led the following Sunday to go into another church. The minister gave out his text, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God,” etc. Struck with this remarkable coincidence, he once more began to think of God’s claims upon him, and of his soul’s deep need. These feelings were again awakened on a third occasion, when on another Sunday he was, in another town, and from the lips of a Third preacher God sent him the same message. But instead of recognizing the love of God in thus inviting him to possess himself of “Th. true riches” he became troubled, and even annoyed at being thus harassed. He could not but feel that God was speaking to him, but he would not be importuned. He wanted to “get rich first.” He was young, and there was time enough. He would think of God, but not just yet. So, to avoid the liability of being again warned to flee from “the wrath to come,” he resolved not to go to church any more. He saw God was inviting him to be saved, but he was not willing to allow eternal claims to come in between him and his cherished, desire.
My friend’s one great object was to become rich, and rich he became; but, as he said to me, his heart was as hard as a stone. He had rejected God’s offered mercy, and now God had left him alone to eat the fruit of his own ways.
I left the neighborhood, and after some time I was led, by God’s grace, to see my ruined condition, and to trust in Him whose precious blood has been shed on Calvary to make atonement for sin. The result was that unspeakable peace which the belief of the Gospel alone can impart. In my new found joy I remembered my old friend, and thought I would go and speak to him about his soul.
Arriving at home and inquiring for him, my mother said, “Did I not tell you that had gone out of his mind, and was in the asylum? The only thing he says when he sees people is ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God’.”
The next time I visited my native town I found that my old friend had gone back to his own house; but he was the wreck of his former self. I called to see him, but the only thing he said to me, in an idiotic way, was “Seek ye first the kingdom of God,” and these were his last words when dying. They show how, to the very end, the grace which he had rejected was the one sad, hopeless thought which ever dwelt in his mind.
Friend, this is no fiction, and were the secrets of each heart known, the experience it reveals would perhaps be found no very unusual occurrence. It may be that you yourself have often listened to the thrilling and earnest entreaties of some faithful servant of Christ, as he told you of God’s love to a guilty world, as made known to us in the Gospel. God is holy, and cannot admit sin into His presence. His righteousness demands that sin shall be judged, and therefore, in His love to us, He has given His Son to stand in the sinner’s place, and bear the punishment due to sin. So that now He is sending a loving message of free pardon and eternal salvation to all who will believe in Christ and receive Him as their only all-sufficient Saviour. But how have you treated His message? Have you resolved to spend a little more time in the indulgence of those sins which caused His heart’s blood to flow? Such a thought shocks you, and ‘yet are you not, in act, saying this, when, after a solemn appeal to seek the Lord while He may be found, you reject His Word and say, “Time enough yet”?
Let this story be a warning to you, ere it is too late, and you find to your horror that you have rejected the last message you are ever to receive. If yon will not listen to the voice of love and of pardon, as God speaks to you even now, through this appeal; the next words you heat- from Him may be, “Depart from Me!”
Oh! we beseech you, as you value your soul, let God’s invitations be no longer neglected. “Now is the day of salvation.- “Him that cometh to Me,” saith the Lord, “I will in no wise cast out.” You cannot save yourself. Accept, then, God’s message of pardon. which is still freely offered. believe in Jesus, and then, God’s happy forgiven child, your bright prospect will be to dwell forever in That blessed abode which Ile has prepared for all who love and serve Him.
Messages of God’s Love 5/17/1908