to the things of this present world,
is a prevailing cause of a spiritual
declension. Unless this evil
principle is mortified in its root,
by the doctrine of the cross--
it will in time prevail over
the most splendid profession.
That love of the world, which is
inconsistent with the true love of GOD--
manifests itself in two different ways,
as men by temper and habit
are differently inclined:
The first is covetousness or
greediness for gain. This was
the ruin of Judas, and probably
the cause of the defection of Demas.
By the honorable mention made
of him in some of Paul's epistles,
Demas seems to have had much
of Paul's confidence and esteem
for a season. Yet at length his
covetous passion prevailed, and
the last account we have of him
from the apostle, is,
"Demas has deserted me--
because he loved this present
world." 2 Timothy 4:10
Again, there are people not chargeable
with the love of money for its own sake--
for they rather squander it--
than hoard it. Yet they are equally
under the influence of a worldly spirit!
They manifest their worldly hearts--
by an expensive taste in the articles
of dress, furniture and feasting--
which are always unsuitable
to a Christian profession.
It is not easy to exactly mark
out the precise line of Christian
conduct in these respects, which
befits the different situations in which
the providence of GOD has placed us.
Nor is it necessary, to those
who are poor in spirit--
and upright in heart. A simple
desire of pleasing GOD, and
adorning the gospel, will
solve most cases of how a
believer should spend his money--
which occupy little and trifling minds.
The inclination of our heart--
will always direct and regulate
our voluntary expenses. Those
who love the LORD, and whose
spirits are lively in HIS service,
will avoid both stinginess and
selfish extravagance. They
will rather lean to the frugal
side in how they spend their
money on themselves--
that they may be better able
to promote GOD'S cause, and
to relieve the necessities
of HIS people.
Misers, who can be content with
the mere form of religion, will
hoard all they can save--
in order to gratify their avarice!
Others will spend all they can spare--
to gratify their vanity, or their
worldly appetites!
It is not easy to determine which
of these evils is the greatest.
Perhaps of the two, the miser
is least accessible to conviction,
and consequently the most difficult
to be reclaimed.
But a desire for extravagance
and indulgence, if persisted in--
will gradually lead to such
compliances with the spirit
and maxims of the world,
as will certainly weaken,
if not wholly suppress--
the exercise of vital godliness.
In whatever degree
the "love of the world" prevails--
the "health of the soul" will
proportionately decline.
"People who long to be rich,
fall into temptation and are
trapped by many foolish and
harmful desires that plunge them
into ruin and destruction!
For the love of money is at the root
of all kinds of evil. And some people,
craving money, have wandered
from the faith and pierced themselves
with many sorrows!" 1 Timothy 6:9-10
fall into temptation and are
trapped by many foolish and
harmful desires that plunge them
into ruin and destruction!
For the love of money is at the root
of all kinds of evil. And some people,
craving money, have wandered
from the faith and pierced themselves
with many sorrows!" 1 Timothy 6:9-10
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published Timothy Shay Arthur's challenging and insightful 2 page story,
"An Hour with Myself!"
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