JOURNEYING along a main highway near Epping Forest recently there passed me a youth pushing a tricycle to which was attached a small covered tradesman's van.
Upon the sides of this, van was painted in large gilt letters the name of the firm, “The World's Stores, Limited.”
I could not help saying aloud to myself, "Yes, VERY limited." And yet people are seeking those stores as if the possession of them here would ensure their reception into “everlasting habitations “there.
How limited are earth's stores! Limited as to time. They last for us a few brief years, and then the house property, the balance at the bank, the stocks and shares, coronets, crowns, empires, fame, power, are gone.
All that the world can give is like the firework display; Up goes the rocket, stars shoot out, light up the darkness, delight the eye for a moment, and down comes the burnt stick, no one caring where it falls.
Aye, and the day will come when "the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
Seeing that reader and writer are alike swiftly passing into eternity, it becomes an urgent question, Are we rich toward God? Have we a portion in Heaven's Stores, Unlimited?
The rich farmer in the parable, only caring for his barns, only thinking of "The World's Stores, Limited," was addressed by God, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" (Luke 12:20.) Other people would enjoy them; but what of the farmer?
So the scripture goes on, "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Are you rich toward God? I can say, through infinite grace, God is my Father, Christ is my Savior. Heaven is my home.
There is One in heaven who died for me, who loves me, who has made me eternally rich. Can you say as much? You may, through simple faith in Him. “Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." (2 Cor. 8:9.)
He left the homage of the angels for the scorn of men. He left the heights of glory for the shame of Calvary. He made all things yet had not where to lay His head. He bore the distance and the wrath that we might have the nearness and the favor of God. He was wounded that we might be healed.
Cannot you trust such a Savior and be made eternally rich? God grant it. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31.)
We, who know Him and His peerless worth, can well sing:
“Were the vast world our own,
With all its varied store,
And Thou, Lord Jesus, were unknown,
We still were poor.”
We may be poor in this world's goods, yet having Him we are rich indeed.
A. J. P.