Three golden balls!

(George Everard, "Counsels to Christians on the Details of Every-day Life!" 1866)

A good lesson may be gathered from a tale of olden time. It is fabled that a king had a daughter who was very swift of foot. So confident was he of her speed, that he engaged if any could outrun her in a race - he would have the kingdom of which she was the rightful heiress. The attempt was made by many, but in  vain.

At length one came forward who, by deceit, endeavored to succeed. In his hand he carried three golden balls, and when she was gaining ground upon him, he purposely let one of them fall near her. Stopping for a moment to pick up the treasure, she lost the position she had gained. Thrice, at intervals, he repeated the artifice, and with the same result. She had imagined that without difficulty she could regain lost ground, but it was beyond her power. Her adversary won the race, and took her crown!

Well may these golden balls represent to us, the honors, the gains, the vanities, and pleasures by which many are drawn aside - and, through the craft of their wily foe, lose their kingdom and their crown!

"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 6:10

"Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me!" 2 Timothy 4:10

"Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world, becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4