PRACTICAL NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY
MESSAGE #174
THE DANGER OF RICHES (and how to fix this!)
It's ages since I read this sermon by the Rev. John Wesley, the man chiefly responsible for Revival in the WHOLE of England which CHANGED that country forever, and the changes spread out into the whole world - being obvious still today in numbers of the things we quite take for granted in our socities: such major things as no slavery; our systems of Government; our freedoms; and much more!!
We owe him a very great deal, a debt in fact, that we can never repay.
Speaking of paying, below is from his sermon titled as above. Re-reading it kind of personally blew my brain, as my searching of the Scriptures on this subject has led me to believe and write the same conclusions as he sets forth below!
But why am I surprised: the Scriptures are there for all Believers, open to be read and studied, and with the help and guidance and revelation from the Holy Spirit made clear! (Still seems amazing to me though...)
Read and reread, and take in EVERY POINT HE MAKES, and note HOW MUCH he says TO GIVE! And in WHAT ORDER - so incredibly PRACTICAL!! This is all SCRIPTURAL folks!! - straight from the heart and mouth of one of the greats of Christianity since the time of the Reformation (which opened up true Biblical Christianity to the world)!!
I pray you'll truly profit from the wisdom of this great man!!
John Wesley, Sermon 87, “The Danger of Riches”.
Your way lies plain before your face; if you have courage, walk in it. Having gained, in a right sense, all you can, and saved all you can; in spite of nature, and custom, and worldly prudence, give all you can. I do not say, "Be a good Jew, giving a tenth of all you possess." I do not say, "Be a good Pharisee, giving a fifth of all your ubstance." I dare not advise you to give half of what you have; no, nor three quarters; but all! Lift up your hearts, and you will see clearly, in what sense this is to be done. If you desire to be a "faithful and a wise steward," out of that portion of your Lord's goods which he has for the present lodged in your hands, but with the right of resumption whenever it pleaseth him, (1.) Provide things needful for yourself; food to eat, raiment to put on; whatever nature moderately requires, for preserving you both in health and strength; (2.) Provide these for your wife, your children, your servants, or any others who pertain to your household. If, when this is done, there be an overplus left, then do good to "them that are of the household of faith." If there be an overplus still, "as you have opportunity, do good unto all men." In so doing, you give all you can; nay, in a sound sense, all you have. For all that is laid out in this manner, is really given to God. You render unto God the things that are God's, not only by what you give to the poor, but also by that which you expend in providing things needful for yourself and your household.
- BM, with his Lady
AS WE USE OUR RICHES LIKE THE LORD INSTRUCTS,
MAY SUCH GOOD COME FROM THIS AS TO
OVERWHELM YOU WITH GODLY JOY!
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