labour to increase the number of God's subjects, — when we strive to maintain Gbd's cause, and adyance CKkL's glory in the world. '
The kingdom of God is the only kingdom worth labouring for. All other kingdoms shall, sooner or later, decay and pass away. The statesmen who rear them are like men who build houses of cards, or children, who make palaces of sand on the sea shore. The wealth whidi constitutes their greatness is as Uable to melt away as the snow in spring. The kingdom of God is the only king- dom which shall endure for eyer. Happy are they who belong to it, love it, live for it, pray for it, and labour for its increase and prosperity. Their labour shall not be in vain. May we give all diligence to make our calling into this kingdom sure ! May it be our constant advice to children, relatives, firiends, servants, neighbours, ''Seek the kingdom ! " Whatever else you seek, " Seek first the kingdom of God ! *'
We have, lastly, in these verses, a marvellaua promise held out to those who seek the kingdom of God. Our Lord Jesus declares, '' All these things shall be added unto you."
We must take heed that we do not misunderstand the meaning of this passage. We have no right to expect that the Christian tradesman, who neglects his business under pretence of zeal for God's kingdom, will find his trade prosper, and his affairs do well. To place such a sense upon the promise would be nothing less than fanaticism and enthusiasm. It would encourage sloth* fiilness in buusiness, and give occasion to the enemies of God to blaspheme.
LUKE, CHAP. XII. vbh. 22 — 31. 81
The man to whom the promise before us belongs, is the Christian who gives to the things of God their right order and their right place. He does not neglect the worldly duties of his station, but he regards them as of infinitely less importance than the requirements of God. He does not omit due attention to his temporal affairs, but he looks on them as of far less moment than the affairs of his soul. In short, he aims in all his daily life to put Gh)d first and the world second, — to give the second place to the things of his body, and the first place to the things of his soul. This is the man to whom Jesus says, '* All these things shall be added imto thee.''
But how is the promise fulfilled P The answer is short and simple. The man who seeks first God's kingdom fifaall never lack anything that is for his good. He may not have so much health as some. He may not have so madi wealth as others. He may not have a richly spread table, or royal dainties. But he shall always have enough. ^* Bread shall be given him. His water shall be sure." (Isaiah xzxiii. 16.) ''AU things shall work together for good to them that love God." (Bom. viii. 28.) '' No good thing will the Lord withhold from them that walk uprightly." (I^salm Ixxxiv. 11.) "I have been young," said David, ** and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread." (Psalm xxxvii 26.)
KoTBB. Luui Xn. 22—31.
22. — [He said unto His tUsciples.] Let it be noted that our Lord in this passage addressed Himself especially to His disciples. He turns to them from llie man for whom he had refused to be a judge and adiTider, and from the mixed multitude to whom he had spoken the parable of the rich tb<d. He knew the readiness of