A liberal man.

When Matthias Baldwin, who built the first American locomotive, had made good and had accumulated a fortune, he was wont to distribute liberal gifts freely among those who had been less prosperous than he. So generous, indeed, was he that when he had not the cash by him he would give personal notes instead. "Nobody hesitates to sign promises to pay in the future in order to get capital for business," he would say. "Are we to trust the Lord to take care of our affairs, and not His own?" Sometimes, it is said, this practice would get Mr. Baldwin into small difficulties; but on the other hand it often helped him when he needed business notes for himself. Said one bank president to another, once, "You refuse to help him because he does not know what to do with his money. We will stand by him because he is determined to do good with his money. His collaterals are God's promises." And that bank president was right.

An unnatural doubt.

Now, the teachings of the previous lesson may have aroused some questions in your minds as to whether or not there will be found a place in the kingdom of heaven for the rich man—for him who has devoted much time apparently to the service of mammon. Perhaps you have heard from some one that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God;" and you have therefore concluded that heaven is for only the poor. There are some people who hold {176} so narrow a notion. In this lesson, however, we shall learn how riches should be used; and that poverty is no larger guarantee of salvation than are riches.

The case of the rich young ruler.

One day, not long after Jesus had blessed the little children brought to Him, there came to Him a rich young ruler, who said, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"

"And He said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but One, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

"He saith unto Him, Which?

"Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

"The young man saith unto Him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

The difficulty of sacrifice.

This simple little story reveals to us the truth. The rich young ruler was essentially a good young man. From his youth up he had striven to observe the law of Moses. He had committed no gross offense; he was guilty of no heinous sin; as he understood the law, he loved his neighbor as himself. But the more perfect law of the Gospel, which Jesus taught, called for sacrifice. The things the young man had done had been easy. He had {177} refrained from evil, because he loved not evil. But when he was bidden to part with his wealth, and to give it to others more needy than he, the center of his affection was touched. For he loved his riches. It was not the riches, then, that stood between him and eternal life. It was the love of those riches. The thing he loved he could with difficulty give up.

The conclusion of Jesus.

Therefore did Jesus say to His disciples, "Verily I say unto you. That a rich man shall hardly (with difficulty) enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

The amazement of the disciples.

Naturally, such a statement puzzled the disciples just as it has puzzled men from that time to this. So the disciples asked, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus answered only, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

The power of God.

While this answer may seem evasive, yet one can readily see in it the possibility implied. Of course, with God all things are possible. He can touch the heart of man so that it shall not be centered on wealth—so that the chief affection of man shall not be, Midas-like, the love of gold. Riches in themselves are of no value; but riches as a means of service may be righteously desired. And the Lord Jesus has Himself promised the blessings of the earth to those who honestly seek Him.

A promise of worldly blessings.

"Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink," urged Jesus, "Neither be ye of doubtful mind. {178} For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these thing............