My first employer, Mr. C., was a thorough man of this world, well known in the industry, well liked by his company, and much 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. All of his energies were spent for this world.
I was only a boy then, but knew the Lord Jesus as my Saviour, and desired to witness for Him. God gave me grace and courage to speak a word for Him, and hand out a tract now and then. Mr. C. often ridiculed me, and would take advantage of the opportunity of having a group of salesmen around to have some fun at my expense.
One morning Mr. C. and I met in the elevator 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 made a lasting impression on me.
“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 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, think they would prefer heaven to hell; but of course, earth is decidedly their preference.
A few years later God spoke loudly to Mr. C. 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. C. spent the day at his office as usual and was feeling perfectly well. That evening after dinner, he and his wife went out; and on returning home about 2 a.m., he complained of being ill. A doctor was called who pronounced his trouble “influenza,” but the following day he was unconscious. He remained unconscious most of the time, and by 3 a.m. on Sunday he had forever left this world which he loved so dearly. Poor man! he died as he lived – without God and without Christ.
He was like the man the Lord Jesus spoke of in the 12th chapter of Luke who had all his treasures on this earth. That man planned to build larger barns and increase his wealth;
Mr. C. would not be guilty of business folly, but in the most important transaction of his life, he was a fool. What if he had gained the whole world and lost his soul? He would still have been a great loser, and guilty of extreme folly.
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. God reveals the judgments that are to fall on such.
Dear friend, are you guilty of such folly? Are you spending all for this world which you must leave? Remember,
God has also 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, and confess that you are a sinner, accept the Saviour 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.