WHEN in a village situate far up the Yorkshire dales, I was struck with seeing the above maxim framed in a shop window, which was evidently intended to arrest the eye of probable customers passing by. Being a little desirous of making some acquaintance with a person of such sagacity in the business affairs of this life, I looked up the shopkeeper. After commending him for his wise policy in the things of time, I ventured to ask him if he had yet considered, with equal wisdom, the infinitely more important interests of his immortal soul for eternity.
But no such sagacity was forthcoming in that direction, for he showed no small amount of indifference to the subject. Clearly our friend was leaving GOD out of his reckoning. After laying the gospel before him, as simply as I could, I had to pass on, assuring him that unless he was wise enough to receive Christ as his Saviour, in this day of God’s grace and mercy, he would certainly “go further and fare worse,” which, if he went far enough, would be to the eternal lake of fire.
Dear reader, if you are traveling on the same road, we wish to say, “May God arrest you!”
People are keen enough in amassing this world’s goods, but when it becomes the question of eternal things there is too often no such aptitude.
Business, where there is any, must of course be attended to; but let nothing lead you to neglect your soul’s all-important eternal interests. This is an age when people “mean money,” and we cannot do without money, which is all right in its place; but we do most earnestly beseech you, do not be like that rich man of whom we read, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-2116And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:16‑21)).
There was no harm in enlarging his barns if necessary, but the man was evidently only considering himself, and had left out God, ―but God had not left him out.
Now, dear reader, you may not have a business to attend to, nor may you “mean money,” as the world’s phrase has it; but let us inquire, have you yet been wise enough to lay up treasure for yourself in heaven, and to be rich toward God? If so, you have known yourself to be sinner enough to need a Saviour, and have received Him. You have trusted His precious blood, which cleanses from all sin and shelters from all judgment; and we trust your heart is being satisfied with Himself till you see His blessed face in glory. And if so, we wish you “God speed.” But if still amongst the indiscreet ones (and oh, do take it in, dear soul!), you are on dangerous ground. “You are going further to fare worse,” in the eternal lake of fire. Nay, may God in His rich grace grant that that place may never be your eternal destination.
Yet note, the responsibility rests with yourself, seeing that God in His love has provided all that is necessary to meet His holy claims and your sins’ deep need.
And do remember, God may soon have to say to thee, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee!” Then what will you do? “Escape for thy life” now, and “don’t go further to fare worse.”
“This only thou canst do―
Believe in Christ and live;
Fly to the shelter of His blood,
And peace with God receive.”
J. N.