[An inordinate desire of wealth, and an eager pursuit of it, are unworthy of the Christian character. Contentment is that rather which becomes him: for, in truth, it is but little that a man needs in this world, The richest man in the uni- verse, what has he beyond "food and raiment?" That his food is more delicate, and his raiment more splendid, is of very small importance : the more homely comforts of the poor are as acceptable to them, as the luxuries of the rich to them. Habit soon familiarizes the mind to the situation in which we are placed; and equally reduces the zest with which abun- dance is enjoyed, and the pain with which penury, if not too oppressive, is sustained. Under a conviction of this, the Christian maintains a holy superiority to the world and all its vanities ; and learns, " in whatsoever state he is, therewith to be content*."]
2. The graces to be cultivated —
[Here is a chain of graces, no link of which should be broken. " Righteousness" should pre-eminently characterize a child of God. There should be in us no disposition to encroach upon the rights of others ; but a firm determination of mind to do unto all men as we, in a change of circumstances, would have them do unto us. But with this must be blended " godliness;" for, if we are to render unto man his due, so must we also unto God; giving to him our heart, and exercising continually those holy affections towards him, which insure the entire affiance of our souls, and the unreserved obedience of our lives. By the term " faith" we may understand either that belief in Christ, which is its general import ; or a " fide- lity" in executing whatever can be justly expected of us. In both points of view, it is a most important grace : for, in the former sense, it is that which interests us in the Lord Jesus, and in all that he has done, or is doing, for us ; and, in the latter sense, it is that whereby alone we can approve the sin- cerity of our faith and love. To these must " love" also be added: for, what is a Christian without love? Let him know all that man can know, and do all that man can do, and suffer all that man can suffer, and " without love, he is no better than sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." Together with these active graces, we must possess also such as are passive: we must exercise self-government, under all the circumstances that may occur ; " possessing our souls in patience," under all the trials of life : and " shewing all meekness unto all men," however perverse they may be in their spirit, or however they may endeavour to irritate and inflame us. These graces are absolutely indispensable to the Christian character; and'whilst
* Phil. iv. 11
2237. j PRACTICAL PIETY ENFORCED. 541
we "flee" the foregoing evils, we must " follow after" these, without exception or intermission.]
Bat to feel the force of the Apostle's exhortation in reference to these duties, we must consider,
II. Their mutual influence and relation to each other —
" The love of money " will altogether despoil the soul of these graces —
[Only let self-interest get an ascendant over us, and we shall no longer listen to the claims of justice : there will be a bias upon our minds, that will affect, not our actions only, but our very judgment : we shall lean to self in all our decisions; and shall be led to infringe upon the rights of others, almost without a consciousness or suspicion that we are going beyond the bounds of justice and equity.
As for " godliness," it is impossible that that should flourish, where such noxious weeds, as the love of money generates, are suffered to grow. Truly that accursed evil will eat out every thing that is good. It is called " the root of all evil :" and it well deserves that character ; for to serve God and Mammon too is absolutely impossible : whichever we adhere to, we must, of necessity, renounce the other.