our desires were granted. Money, whicli thousands are constantly wamting and longing for, — ^money, whicli many make their god, — ^money keeps myriads of souls out of heaven ! " They that will be rich faU into temptation and a snare." Happy is he who has learned to pray,
GKve me neither poverty ner riches," and is really
content with such things as he has.'' (1 Tim. vi. 9. Prov. XXX. 8. Heb. xiii. 5.)
We learn, lastly, from these verses, how mighty is the power of OocPb grace. We see this in the words which our Lord addressed to those who heard Him speaking of the rich man's danger. They said, '' who then can be saved?" Our Lord's reply is broad and full: "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." By grace a man may serve God and reach heaven in any condition of life.
The word of God contains many striking instances in illustration of this doctrine. Abraham, and David, and Hezekiah, and Jehoshaphat, and Josiah, and Job, and Daniel, were all great and rich. Yet they all served God and were saved. They all found grace sufficient for them, and overcame the temptations by which they were surrounded. Their Lord and Master still lives, and what He did for them He can do for others. He can give power to rich Christians to follow Christ in spite of tlieir riches, as well as He did to rich Jews.
Let us beware of allowing ourselves to suppose that our own salvation is impossible, because of the hardness of our position. It is too often a suggestion of the devil and oixr own lazy hearts. We must not give way to it. It matters not where we live, so long as we are not