1 Tim. vi. 9, 10. They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil : which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through ivith many sorrows.
THERE is one general sentiment in the world, that riches will contribute greatly to our happiness, and that it is our wisdom to make use of all our time and talents in the acquisition of wealth. But widely different from this was the advice of the Apostle Paul, who tells us, that " having food and raiment, we should be therewith contents" and that the very disposition so universally cherished and inculcated in the world, " the love of money," " is the root of all evil."
In speaking of the love of money, we will,
I. Contemplate it as a " root " —
Verily, as a root, it is very widely spread and deeply fixed in the heart of man ; and richly does it deserve the character given of it in my text. For it is,
1. A base principle —
[There is no intrinsic worth in money, nor any thing that should make it in any respect an object of our regard. The man that possesses most of it has no advantage from it beyond " the beholding it with his eyesV It is well compared to " thick clay" adhering to the feet of a man engaged in a race; and which serves only to impede his way, and to endanger his success0. How unworthy it is of the affections of a rational and immortal being, may be seen by the contempt poured upon it by our blessed Lord; who, when he came into the world, was born in a stable; and when he lived in the world, "had not a place where to lay his head."]
2. A vitiating principle —
[There is not a faculty of the soul which the love of money will not debase. It will pervert the judgment ; so that we shall not be able to see our way, where a disinterested
person would find no difficulty whatever It will blind
the conscience ; so that, under its influence, we shall put evil
for good, and mistake darkness for light — ■ It will also
harden the heart, and despoil it of all the finer feelings of compassion and love ]
3. A domineering principle — :
[No better principle can find scope for operation where this prevails. It will swallow up every other, and govern with
a ver. 8. b Eccl. v. 10, 11. <= Hab. ii. 6.