Plain Talk Vol.1, No.6, Pg.8 - Cedar Park Church of Christ

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Vol. 1, No. 6
June, 1964

Stuff About Things

One man, intent upon becoming wealthy, determined to invest only in ventures which gave him advantage of others. A second, equally ambitious but wiser, determined to build a business which offered the greatest advantage to others.

Guess what? The first man became filthy rich, with four wives and three Cadillacs. (His third wife got the fourth Cadillac in her settlement, but had to sell it for taxes.) He never knew a quiet, satisfied moment in his life.

The second man worked like a dog, and nearly everyone took advantage of him --- which worried him little. He made a modest living, earned respect for what he was, and bored folk to tears with pictures of his grandchildren. (Oh yes, he bought the used Cadillac at a court auction.)

Moral of the story is: "What Most People Want, Costs Too Much!"

Moses chose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season: Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had -respect unto the recompense of the reward." (Heb. 11:25-26) (That last part means, in every-day
English, "he could see beyond the end of his nose.")

Short-sighted people quit school early,--- to work on the road, escape class-room discipline, or otherwise prove their immaturity. Others overgraze their land, misuse their credit, or mistake a bragging drunk for a man.

But the shortest short-sightedness of all is that which ignores the brevity of life, the certainty of judgement, and the awfulness of Hell.

Riches for riches' sake (built on selfish desires) cost too much. They seem pleasant enough, viewed from afar; but they exact their toll both in this life, and in that to come. We can build only one true security, and that consists of the treasures we lay up in heaven. A lifetime of service to the Lord is not too great a cost for this end.

If you think you do not need this particular lesson, try depriving yourself to give to some worthy cause. Give something you think you can't do without. I have tried it a few times, and --- Man, does it hurt!

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One man, intent upon becoming wealthy, determined to invest only in ventures which gave him advantage of others. A second, equally ambitious but wiser, determined to build a business which offered the greatest advantage to others. Guess what? The first man became filthy rich, with four wives and three Cadillacs. (His third wife got the fourth Cadillac in her settlement, but had to sell it for taxes.) He never knew a quiet, satisfied moment in his life. The second man worked like a dog, and nearly everyone took advantage of him --- which worried him little. He made a modest living, earned respect for what he was, and bored folk to tears with pictures of his grandchildren. (Oh yes, he bought the used Cadillac at a court auction.) Moral of the story is: "What Most People Want, Costs Too Much!" Moses chose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season: Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had -respect unto the recompense of the reward." (Heb. 11:25-26) (That last part means, in every-day		English, "he could see beyond the end of his nose.") Short-sighted people quit school early,--- to work on the road, escape class-room discipline, or otherwise prove their immaturity. Others overgraze their land, misuse their credit, or mistake a bragging drunk for a man. But the shortest short-sightedness of all is that which ignores the brevity of life, the certainty of judgement, and the awfulness of Hell. Riches for riches' sake (built on selfish desires) cost too much. They seem pleasant enough, viewed from afar; but they exact their toll both in this life, and in that to come. We can build only one true security, and that consists of the treasures we lay up in heaven. A lifetime of service to the Lord is not too great a cost for this end. If you think you do not need this particular lesson, try depriving yourself to give to some worthy cause. Give something you think you can't do without. I have tried it a few times, and --- Man, does it hurt! [Previous Article] [Volume 1, No. 7]