On a bright morning some years ago, a young girl of seventeen stood at the gate watching for the postman. There was something of special interest to her in that morning's mail. Her uncle had left her a large sum of money in his will and she expected to hear more fully about it that day. The letter was delivered; the news was confirmed, and Julia became a wealthy heiress.
Her fortune was not an unmixed blessing, nor did it yield her all the happiness she had hoped from it. Riches do not give peace, nor do they brighten the prospect beyond the grave.
Five years later she again stood at the gate watching for the postman, only to have her worst fears confirmed. She had lost all her fortune through the failure of the company in which it was invested and was bereft of all. By the same mail which took the last hope of worldly gain away, there came a letter from a former companion, who had heard of Julia’s loss. This friend told her of Christ and His unsearchable riches which never can be lost, and urged her to receive Him as the Savior of her soul, and the comfort of her weary heart. Then and there she trusted Christ and enjoyed His love. Afterward, she assured her friends that she was happier in Christ and with Christ earning her daily bread than she ever had been with all her store of worldly wealth without Him.
Let us not set our hearts upon riches. "Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven" Prov. 23:4, 54Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:4‑5).
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come." 1 Tim. 6:17-1917Charge 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; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17‑19).
J.T. Armet