from Matthew Mead's, "The Almost Christian"

The pursuit of worldly things is unnecessary.
Silver and gold are not necessary.
We may be happy without them.

The pursuit of worldly things is unsubstantial.
The things of this world are more shadow than substance.

Pleasure, honor and profit comprise all things in this
 world, and therefore are the carnal man's trinity!

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,
 and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life."

If this is all that is in the world, then it is nothing.

What is pleasure but a dream and cheat?

What is honor but opinion?

What is profit but a bubble?

The things of this world have no substance in them,
 though foolish carnal men call them substance.

The pursuit of worldly things is unsafe.
The gain of worldly things is always with difficulty,
but seldom with safety. The soul is often hazarded
in the over eager pursuit of worldly things.

Myriads pawn, and lose, and damn their precious
souls eternally, for a little silver and gold, which
are but the dross and garbage of the earth!

The pursuit of worldly things is uncertain.
Men make great ventures for the world, but it is
all uncertain. They sow much, yet reap nothing.

As the things of the world are uncertain in the
 getting, they are uncertain in the keeping.

If men do not undo us, moths may.

If robbery does not undo us, rust may.

If rust does not undo us, fire may.

All earthly treasures may succumb to fire.

Solomon paints the world as with wings: "Cast but
a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will
surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."

Oh, how uncertain are all worldly things!

The pursuit of worldly things is perishing.
All this world's goods are passing away.
Perishing pleasures.
Perishing honors.
Perishing profits.
Perishing comforts.
"Riches are not forever," says Job.

What pains do children take to scrape and
roll the snow together to make a snowman.
But soon after it is done, the heat of the sun
dissolves it, and it comes to nothing.

The greatest treasures of worldly people are
but snowmen!  When death and judgement
come, they melt away, and come to nothing!

The pursuit of worldly things...