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Riches, honors, and comforts
(J. C. Philpot,
"Heavenly Treasure in Earthen Vessels")
"But we have this precious treasure in earthen vessels."
2 Cor. 4:7
How different is the estimate that the Christian makes
of riches, honors, and comforts—from that
made by
the world and the flesh!
The world's idea of riches are only such as
consist in gold
and silver, in houses, lands, or other tangible property.
The world's estimate of honors, are only
such as man
has to bestow.
The world's notion of comfort, is
"fulfilling the
desires of the flesh and of the mind."
But the true Christian takes a different estimate
of these matters, and feels that . . .
the only true riches are those of
God's grace in the heart,
the only real honor is that which
comes from God,
the only solid comfort is that which
is imparted by the
Holy Spirit to a broken and contrite spirit.
Now, just in proportion as we are filled by the Spirit
of God—shall we take faith's estimate of riches,
honors, and comforts. And just so much as we are
imbued with the spirit of the world—shall we take
the flesh's estimate of these things.
When the eye of the world looked on the Apostles, it
viewed them as a company of poor ignorant men—a set
of wild enthusiasts, who traveled about the country
preaching Jesus, who they said, had been crucified,
and was risen from the dead. The natural eye saw no
beauty, no power, no glory in the truths they brought
forth. Nor did it see that the poor perishing bodies of
these outcast men contained in them a heavenly
treasure—and that they would one day shine as the
stars forever and ever—while those who despised
their word would sink into endless woe.
The spirit of the world can never understand or love the
things of eternity—it can only look to, and can only rest
upon, the poor perishing things of time and sense.
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