DURABLE RICHES

J.W. Ross

I sometimes think about one of my former school friends, called James. He was an orphan who was sent from Glasgow to live in a farming community in the North. We played together, and together we made plans for the future. He always enjoyed coming to my home; and although his foster parents were kind and affectionate to him, he longed for the time when he would have a home of his own.

James left school, worked for a short tme, and then joined the Royal Air Force. During his service he married and settled down in a home of his own. His childhood ambition was realised at last, and the future seemed bright.

Not long after, however, he was suddently struck down with a serious illness. Within a few days he died, although everything possible had been done for him. The thought of my friend's sudden and tragic death brings to my mind the Bible words: "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, a nd the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth forever."  ( 1 Peter 1:24,25 ).

Three things confront us with theses words-two are fleeting, and one is permanent.

We must all die. An illustration of this fact is to be seen in the passing beauty of nture. When we see the vitality of spring, it seems as if the world of nature, so full of life, will surely maintain its vigour for a long time. Soon, however, the blight of winter comes and with it decay and death.: "The grass withereth, and the flower therof falleth away."  In this way, God shows us the fleeting nature of earthly things. He is in effect saying to us, "See the glory of that scene: it is all to pass away. It is like the glory of man. His achievements seem awe-inspiring. These monuments to his ingenuity and power stand as if forever. But they will always stand. All must end in dust. "

How different is the Word of God: "The Word of the Lord enduerth forever."  This Word came to us many centuries ago, and it speaks to us with divine authority still, whether we listen to it or not.

If you are to posses what will endure, then you must obtain those spiritual and eternal riches which are revealed in the Word of God. Without these riches the Bible describes you as "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (Rev 3:17 ). When viewed in the light of God's law and its demands for a perfect obedience, you are indeed poor. This is what God requires of you: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength… and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."  (Mark 12:30,31 ). Can you meet these requirements? Is your life in perfect conformity with these demands? Certainly not. Because of your sinful nature, you will not and cannot truly obey the law of God. "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be" (Romans *: 7) hence you are under condemnation; you are wretched and poor; you are in debt to the law of God.

How can this debt be discharged? How can you be made rich for eternity? The answer is to be found in Christ, who came into the world to die on the cross of Calvary so as to pay this debt for sinners. The price He paid was His life. He became poor that through His poverty a sinner such as you might be made rich. Peace and pardon, righteousness and salvation, are to be obtained through faith in Christ. These are true and lasting riches.

In his short-sightedness, man strives after earthly honour and riches. But death strips him of all at last. How much more important it is to possess those lasting riches which belong to the child of God. "An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away."  

Perhaps you think that it would be foolish to spend any time seeking Christ when you have so many other things to attend to. God's word promises that those who put His commands first will be blessed with a sufficient provision for their temporal needs. Christ said, "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteouness; and all theses things shall be added unto you."  (Matthew 6:33 )

Christ alone can bless you with "durable riches and righteousness". These are blessings which neither death nor judgment can take from you. Do not foolishly give your heart to those things which will perish. Rather strive after those riches which will endure unto everlasting life-"the unsearchable riches of Christ".

If you have been blessed by this tract, please share your testimony by writing to us:

Calvary Tract Ministry
Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church
201 Pandan Gardens Singapore 609337
Tel: (65) 6560 3885 | Fax: (65) 6566 3806
Email: calbp@pacific.net.sg
Website: http://calvarypandan.org