V. It is difficult to have riches, and not cleave to them in preference to Christ — This is the point more especially referred to in the text itself —
[The reason assigned for the young man's forsaking Christ was, that he had great possessions : and hence our Lord's re- flection on the almost insurmountable difficulties which riches interpose in our way to heaven. The fact is, that though every one is not called to renounce his riches precisely in the same way that this opulent ruler was, every one is required to sit loose to them, and to be willing to renounce them all, whenever they shall stand in competition with his duty to God. And there is no man, who is not called to make some sacrifices for Christ. Now a rich man's reputation is exceedingly dear to him ; and his interests in the world appear to him of almost incalculable importance : and, if he be called to renounce them all, the sacrifice appears too great to be endured. He hopes he shall find out an easier way to heaven ; and chooses rather to risk the salvation of his soul, than to subject himself to such grievous trials in order to obtain it. Even those who have tasted somewhat of the sweetness of religion are sometimes drawn away, like Demas ; and forsake their Saviour from love to this present world.]
But in choosing our portion now, we choose for eternity —
[" We must reap according to what we sow : he that soweth to the flesh must, of the flesh, reap corruption." We must " part with all if we would have the pearl of great price." " If we do not forsake all for Christ, we cannot be his disciples." " We must count all things but loss for him." " We must hate father and mother, and nouses and lands, yea and our lives also, for his sake." " If we will not lose our lives for him here, we never can find life in the eternal world."]
Infer —
1. How little true faith is there in the world!
[Where is the man, who, if offered great riches, would be afraid to accept them, lest they should impede his way to heaven? or, when congratulated on his attainment of wealth, would damp the ardour of his friends by entreating rather an interest in their prayers, that the newly-acquired riches might not corrupt and destroy his soul ? Where is the man pos- sessed of riches, who does not think his way to heaven as easy as that of any other person ? In short, where is the person who does not say in his heart, ' Give me riches : I will run the risk of their doing me any harm : I have no doubt I shall