[b]Tempting, seductive, dangerous and ruinous
(William S. Plumer, "The Ten Commandments")
"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap
and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men
into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root
of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have
wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with
many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:9-10
By reason of sin, riches are ordinarily tempting, seductive,
dangerous and ruinous. A right view of the perils of wealth
would, with the divine blessing, have a mighty efficacy in curing
our covetousness and discontent, and in causing us to cease
improperly to love what we have, or sinfully to desire that
which belongs to others.
When one says to himself, "You have many goods stored up
for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!"
(Luke 12:19) destruction is already at the door! No state of
mind is more opposite to the spirit of the gospel, than that
of slothfulness, high living, banqueting, and carnal mirth.
"Sodom's sins were pride, laziness, and gluttony." Ez. 16:49
Wantonness and luxury, sloth and corruption usually go
together. The great nourisher of these is wealth.
"Covetousness is idolatry." It disowns Jehovah. It sets up
gold to be worshiped. It brings man, like the serpent, to lick
the dust. It sadly perverts God's mercies, as well as all our
own thoughts. It makes men believe in . . .
no God but mammon,
no devil but the absence of gold,
no damnation but being poor,
no hell but an empty purse.
David speaks of "men of the world, who have their
portion in this life." Psalm 17:14.
To lead a Christian life is to give up one's idols. Oh
that men would believe their final Judge, when He
says, "You cannot serve God and mammon!"