My first employer, Mr. Charter, was a thorough man of the world, well known in business circles, and well liked by his company; but his methods made him feared by his competitors. He was a very successful manager of one of the company's largest branches. Much could be said of his business acumen, but he was totally without God and ruthless in his dealings with men. All of his energies were put forth for worldly advantage.
Although I was quite young, I knew the Lord Jesus as my Savior. In my desire to witness for Him, God gave me grace and courage to speak a word occasionally to needy souls, and to hand out a gospel tract now and then. Mr. Charter often ridiculed my feeble efforts, especially if a group of salesmen were around. He would take advantage of such an opportunity to have some fun at my expense.
One morning I met my employer in the elevator as we were going to work, and I felt that I should hand him a gospel tract. He glanced at it and handed it back with a remark that I shall never forget: "Boy, you can have all the heaven you want, but just give me earth.”
That statement fully expressed his whole aim, object, and desire. I was shocked at such sophistry, but I have since learned that he was only one of millions who feel the same way. All are not so outspoken about it. Some will even say that they want to go to heaven when they die. They realize that they cannot always remain here; and having heard a little of the horrors of hell, they think they would prefer heaven' to hell.
But earth is decidedly their preference!
A few years later God spoke loudly to Mr. Charter. His sister died very suddenly, and within a few weeks his brother was taken without warning by a stroke of apoplexy. However, nothing seemed to change him.
One Wednesday Mr. Charter spent the day at his office as usual. He was feeling quite well, and after dinner, he and his wife 'went out for an evening of pleasure. On returning home about 2 a.m., he complained of being ill. A doctor was called, and he diagnosed his trouble as "influenza," but the following day he had lapsed into unconsciousness. He remained in a coma most of the time until about 3 a.m. on Sunday. Then he passed forever from this world which he had loved so dearly. Poor man! He died as he had lived—without God and without Christ.
How like the man the Lord Jesus spoke of in the twelfth chapter of Luke! He too had all his treasures on this earth. That man planned to build larger barns and increase his wealth.
Mr. Charter would not be guilty of business laxness; but in the most important transaction of his life, he had proved himself a fool. Even if he could have gained the whole world, he had lost his soul, a loss that cannot be estimated.
God speaks of this class in the book of Revelation as "those that dwell on the earth." It is also translated "earth dwellers" which expresses the choice of millions. In that book God reveals the judgments that are about to fall on such people.
Dear friend, are you guilty of this folly? Are you giving your immortal soul for this world you must leave? God says: "Death [has] passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12).
God has warned you that after death comes the judgment (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)). Don't wait any longer to come to God! Confess that you are a sinner, and accept the Savior He has provided. Don't wait for a more favorable opportunity, for it may never come.
This night your soul may be required of you. "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Prov. 27:11Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1).