The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 261

consequence? Just what the consequence of a God-fearing life will always be, "As long as he 8011gbt the Lord, God made him to prosper." It is so still. God keeps his word. He has never yet broken that promise, "Thero that honour me I will honour." This WRS _the starting-point in Uzziah's prosperity, and, so long as he prospered, the secret of 1t was that he sought the Lord. Godliness is the best foundation of all true and lasting prosperity. Men like the late Samuel Morley, or the late Sir William McArthur, were not less successful because they were God-fearing men, and their business did not suffer because of the large amount of time and attention and money they devoted t.o religious work. To seek God's guidance in everything, God's blessing on every undertaking and every event of life,-that is the secret of true prosperity and success. 2. The second step in Uzziah's prosperity was a good man's influence. We read in 2 Chronicles that "he sought the Lord in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God." While the Word of God and our own conscience are to be oar chief guides, there are many details aad plans of daily lifo in which we 1hall be greatly the better for the experience and advice of others. To what kind of men do you go for your advice or guidance? Go by all means to those who ha.ve best experience of the business or subject in question, But if you are to choose between the advice of a practical Christian man and that of a practical worldly man, surely for a Christian the Christian man's advice will carry most weight. Some one has well said, "You can never rise above the level of your companionship." Ou'ltivate the society, ,eek the advice, look for the sympathy, of good men and good women. 3. The third step in Uzzia.h's prosperity was his diligence in business. Uzziah was no idler. He realized the responsibility of Life. He realized the responsibilities of his high position. So we find him improving the defences of Jerusalem and building towers; improving also the condition of the country and digging wells, so useful to the traveller and the husband~ man in the East; and, as it was e. time of warfare, providing suitable equipments for his soldiers, and encouraging new inventions of military engines and weapons. No success is won without he.rd work. Whatsoever our hand findeth to do, we should do it with our might. By these three methods, then, Uzzia.h e.ttained to great prosperity. "He was marvellously helped, till he wa.s strong," are the words of the writer in 2 Chronicles. His name and fame became well known. If you want to attain to prosperity and success in your business-and it is a desirable thing to see wealth, honourably earned and wisely spent, in the hands of Christian men-then, with the strong arm of a vigorous resolution, cat these three steps in your upward path, and plant your feet firmly in them-the fear of Go1Z, the influence of good men, and diligence in business. This is prosperity and its upward path. But we have reached the summit of Uzziah's career. Hitherto all has been progress upward. Hitherto all has been bright as the path of the just. But the scene changes. The shadows gather. The footsteps that pointed upwards now are turned downwards. We must look now at the other side of the picture, a~ II. PaosPERITY ..u,-i> ITB DOWNWARD PATH. We ma.y gain prosperity by rightful means, but sometimes the difficulty is to keep our prosperity and our religion at t~~ same time. Riches bring with them their own temptations and dangers. We see 10 Uzziah's case the way to prosperity, which we should follow; we also see the dangers of prosperity, which we should avoid. 1. Prosperity leads to pride: We read ?f Uzziah in 2 Chronicles: "But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction." He became filled up with ideas of hie own importance, and, instea<l of giYin"'0 God the glory, reflected with complacency on all the great deeds that he had done, a.nd all the benefits he had conferred upon the nation. When he was younger, and in the beginning of his career, he was humbler. He was very glad then to seek God's guidance, to have the help and influence of Zechariah. But now he has got yond all that. His whole character is completely changed. "For lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Wliereto the climber upward turns his face: But, wheu he once hH\·e gained the topmost round, lie tl,en unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did a.,cend." OR, XV. 1-38.) THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. 307