Money

(J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Matthew" 1856)

"For the love of money is at the root of all kinds
of evil. And some people, craving money, have
wandered from the faith and pierced themselves
with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:10

The love of money is one of the greatest snares
to a man's soul. The history of the Church abounds
in illustrations of this truth. For money Joseph was
sold by his brethren. For money Samson was betrayed
to the Philistines. For money Gehazi deceived Naaman,
and lied to Elisha. For money the Son of God was
delivered into the hands of wicked men.

Let us all be on our guard against the love of money .

The world is full of it in our days.

The plague is abroad.

Thousands who would abhor the idea of worshiping
idols, are not ashamed to make an idol of gold. We are
all liable to the infection, from the least to the greatest.

We may love money without having it, just as
we may have money without loving it.

It is an evil that works very deceitfully.

It carries us captives before we are aware of our chains.

Once let it get the mastery, and it will harden, paralyze,
scorch, freeze, blight, and wither our souls. It overthrew
an apostle of Christ. Let us take heed that it does not
overthrow us.

One leak may sink a ship.

One unmortified sin may ruin a soul.

We ought frequently to call to mind the solemn words,
"What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world,
and lose his own soul?" "We brought nothing into this
world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." Our
daily prayer should be, "Give me neither poverty nor
riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me."

Our constant aim should be to be rich in grace.

Those who "will be rich" in worldly possessions often
find at last that they have made the worst of bargains.
Like Esau, they have bartered an eternal portion for a
little temporary gratification. Like Judas Iscariot, they
have sold themselves to everlasting perdition!