"But are they the exceptions, mother, or the rule?"
"Perhaps they may be exceptions so far as the literal statement goes, but the rule holds good in principle for most of those who are diligent in business from right motives and by right means. They usually rise in the social scale, and attain position and influence denied to the idle and indifferent. Doubtless it was so under the administration of a discerning ruler like the king of Israel, and in our own country there is no barrier to the rise of any from humble industry to heights of wealth and power."
"Well, but look here, mother; is it right to try for it? Because listen to this, 'In the world ye shall have tribulation,'—that's not honour, you know. 'Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate,'—that's not standing before kings; that's associating with 'mean men.' So what are we really to do and expect?"
"There is nothing inconsistent in the statements, dear boy. Suppose a man to attain by diligence and industry some position of eminence, let him not suppose that he is therefore exempt from trial and suffering, for if he be a follower of Jesus, he must in some way take up His cross; and possibly the very prosperity he has attained may supply opportunities of temptation and tribulation which a more obscure lot may escape.
"Then, though he may be elevated to 'high things' in the world's estimate, he must not be intent on them, or proud of them, because after all, it was by God's kind providence that he was favoured with the elements and opportunities of success; and he should sympathise with, and help forward, those who are struggling as he did, or seem less able to master the difficulties which keep them back. It seems to me that in the three passages you have quoted, we find lawful encouragement in our daily duty, warning that 'the servant' must not expect to be 'above his master,' and a necessary precept against ambition and pride."
"Well, but, mother, suppose the things clash; suppose in trying hard for the reward of diligence in business, one loses sight of the condition to which tribulation in some sense seems promised; what is to be done then?"
"Well, let us consider both for a moment, and then decide which is best worth having. When an industrious, clever man has attained his object, risen as high as he can, what then?"
"Why, that's all, isn't it? He is a great man; he does not belong to the class of 'mean men.'"
"Yes, and what then?"
"I don't know, excepting that he will like to keep what he has attained until—"