The man who does well for himself is the man who gives up everything for Christ's sake. He makes the best of bargains. He carries the cross for a few years in this world; and in the world to come has everlasting life. He obtains the best of possessions. He carries his riches with him beyond the grave. He is rich in grace here, and he is rich in glory hereafter. And, best of all, what he obtains by faith in Christ he never loses. It is " that good part which is never taken away."
Would we know what we are ourselves? Let us see whether we have treasure in heaven, or whether all our good things are here upon earth. — ^Would we know what our treasure is? Let us ask ourselves what we love most ? This is the true test of character. This is the pulse of our religion. It matters little what we say, or what we profess, or what preaching we admire, or what place of worship we attend. What do we love P On what are our affections set ? This is the great question. " Where our treasure is there will our hearts be also."
Let us mark, lastly, what an instructive picture these verses contain of the Jrame of mind which the true Christian should endeavour to keep up. Our Lord tells us that we ought to be '^ like imto men that wait for their Lord." We ought to live like servants who expect their Master's return, fulfilling our duties in our several stations^ and doing nothing which we would not like to be found doing when Christ comes again.
The standard of life which our Lord has set up here is an exceedingly high one, — so high, indeed, that many Christians are apt to flinch from it, and feel cast down. And yet there is nothing here which ought to make a be-