If the things that we have are taken away, let ns be satisfied that there is a needs be. Happy is he who is persuaded that whatever is is best, and has ceased from vain wishing, and become "content with such things as he has." (Hebrews xiii. 5.)
Let us mark, secondly, in these verses, what a wiiher- ing exposure our Lord makes of the follxf cf worldly mindedness. He draws the picture of a rich man of the world, whose mind is wholly set on earthly things. He paints him scheming and planning about his property, as if he was master of his own life, and had but to say, "I will do a thing," and it would be done. And then- he turns the picture, and shows us God requiring the worldling's soul, and asking the heart-searching question, " Whose shall those things be which <hou hast provided'?" -"Folly," he bids us learn, nothing less than "folly," is the right word by which to describe the conduct of the man who thinks of nothing but his money. The man who " lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God," is the man whom God declares to be a '^fool."
It is an awful thought that the character which Jesus brings before us in this parable, is far from being un- common. Thousands in every age of the world have lived continually doing the very things which are here condemned. Thousands are doing them at this very day. They are laying up treasure upon earth, and thinking of nothing but how to increase it. They are continually adding to their hoards, as if they were to enjoy them for ever, and as if there was no death, no judgment, and no world to come. And yet these are the men who are called clever, and prudent, and wise! These are the