1. What is one reason why the last days were to be perilous?
“Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous.” 2 Tim. 3:2.
2. When, according to prophecy, were men to amass great wealth?
“Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” James 5:1-3.
Note.—We have reached the age of vast accumulations of wealth, when there seems to be a mad rush for making money quickly, and the millionaire and the multimillionaire are much in evidence. Speaking on this subject, Rev. H. W. Bowman, in his work “War Between Capital and Labor,” says: “Such colossal fortunes, such hoarding of treasures, such combinations of wealth, with such rapid increase in poverty, were never witnessed before. Our age alone fits the prophetic mold.”
3. Why did Christ, in the parable, reprove the man who hid his talent?
“Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I [pg 330] reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.” Matt. 25:26, 27.
Note.—“Servility to wealth,” says J. S. Mill, “is a social curse.” Vespasian spoke truly when he said, “Riches are well, if gotten well and well spent;” and Peter Cooper likewise uttered a great truth when he said, “A man of wealth is but a steward for the good of mankind.” James A. Patten, the retired Chicago millionaire wheat broker, announcing his intention to give away his fortune to charity, said: “I believe a man should give away a good share of his wealth while he is living. He can't take a dollar out of the world with him, although I know some men who seem to believe they can. Personally, I mean to get rid of the most of my fortune. I hope to help many charitable institutions before I die. I doubt the advisability of leaving any great sum of money to one's children. Many lives have been ruined by large bequests. The offspring of a rich man are better off if they are required to hustle for themselves.”—Washington Times, Nov. 5, 1910.
4. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do?
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.” Matt. 19:21.