Think not that we mean to decry industry ; for diligence in earthly pursuits is recommended and enjoined by God himself^: but it is the regarding of earthly things as the sources of our happiness that is condemned in the text : and if we will make them our treasure, they are the only treasure which we shall ever possess ]
2. For encouragement —
[If it were necessary to lay up treasures on earth, you might well be discouraged. One might say, I have not abilities for it: another, I have no capital to trade with: another. There are too many competitors in my line of business : another, I have been robbed and impoverished by a treacherous partner, or a dishonest debtor. But no such orounds of discouraare- ment exist in relation to heavenly treasures. The wisest philo- sopher has no advantage over the most illiterate peasant: there is equal access afforded to every one to the inexhaustible riches of Christ, by the improvement of which alone any one can be made " rich towards God :" competitors for heavenly wealth promote, instead of impeding, each other's success : nor shall either deceit or violence ever prevail against those who commit their cause to God. Let all of us then unite in this glorious work: let us be satisfied with no attainments; but " covet earnestly the best gifts :" let us be ever " pressing forward, forgetting what is behind, and reaching forth to that which is before." Whatever we have of this world's goods, let us lay them out for the Lord with prudent generosity: let us " lend" them to him, and he will repay us again. But if we are poor in this world, let us honour the Lord by cheerful contentment; assured that every grace we exercise, whether passive or active, shall be richly " recompensed at the resurrection of the jvist."]
e Rom. xii. 11. Eccl. ix. 10.