A man may have every comfort and luxury here, and yet come to a wretched future. It is no sin to be rich. It is a sin not to be rich, if we can be honestly. I wish I had five hundred thousand dollars—I suppose I might as well make it a million—I see so much suffering and trial every day, that I say again and again, I wish I had the money to relieve it.
But alas for the man who has nothing but money I Dives’ house had a front door and a back door, and they both opened into eternity. Sixty seconds after Dives was gone, of what use were his horses? he could not ride them; of what use his rich viands? he could not open his clenched teeth to eat them; of what use his fine linen shirts! he could not wear them.
The poorest man who stood along the road watching the funeral procession of Dives owned more of this world than the dead gormandizer. The future of the other world was all the darker because of the brightness of this. Who of you will take Dives’ fine home, and costly plate, and dazzling equipage, and kennel of blooded dogs, if his eternity must b6 thrown in with it?
The Indian who for a string of beads sells as much territory as will make a State, is wise compared with a man who for the trinkets of earth barters heaven.—TALMAGE.