The error of life into which men most readily fall is the pursuit of wealth as the highest good of existence. While riches command respect, win position, and secure comfort it is expected that they will be regarded by all classes with a strong desire. But the undue reverence, which is everywhere manifested for wealth the prestige, which is conceded to it, the homage, which is paid to it, the perpetual worship which is offered to it all tend to magnify its desirableness and awaken longings for its possession in the minds of those born without wealth.
In society, as at present observed, the acquisition of money would seem to be the height of human aim the great object of living, to which all other purposes are made subordinate!
Money, which exalts the lowly and sheds honor upon the exalted;
money, which makes sin appear goodness and gives to viciousness the show of chastity;
money, which silences evil report and opens wide the mouth of praise;
money, which constitutes its possessor an oracle to whom men listen with deference;
money, which makes deformity beautiful and sanctifies crime;
money, which lets the guilty go unpunished and wins forgiveness for wrong;
money, which makes manhood and old age respectable and is commendation, surety, and good name for the young.
How shall it be gained? by what schemes shall it gather in? by what sacrifice shall it secure?
These are the questions which absorb the mind the practical answering of which engross the life of men. The schemes are too often those of fraud, and outrage upon the sacred obligations of being, the sacrifice, loss of the highest moral sense, the destruction of the purest susceptibilities of nature, the neglect of internal life and development, the utter and sad perversion of the true purposes of existence.
Money is valued beyond its worth it has gained a power vastly above its deserving.
Wealth is courted so slavishly,
is flattered so servilely,
is so influential in molding opinions and judgment,
has such a weight in the estimation of character that men regard its acquisition as the most prudent aim of their endeavors, and its possession as absolute enjoyment and honor, rather than the means of honorable, useful, and happy life.
While riches are thus over-estimated, and hold such power in the community, that men will forego ease,
endure toil,
sacrifice social pleasures,
and abandon principle for the speedy acquirement of property!
Money is not regarded as the means of living but as the object of life.
All nobler ends will be neglected, in the eager haste to be rich. No higher pursuit will be recognized, than the pursuit of gold no attainment deemed so desirable, as the attainment of wealth. While the great man of every circle is the rich man in the common mind, wealth becomes the synonym of greatness. No condition is discernable superior, to that which money confers. No loftier idea of manhood is entertained, than that which embraces the extent of one's possessions.
There is a wealth of heart better than gold.
There is an interior adornment fairer than outward ornament. There is a splendor in upright life beside which gems are lusterless. There is a fineness of character whose beauty outvies the glitter of diamonds. Man's true riches are hidden in his virtues, and in their development and increase he will find his surest happiness!
[Timothy Shay Arthur]
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1 Timothy 6:7-10 ... For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Proverbs 23:4-5 ... Labour 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. ❤
