PRIZE ESSAY.
The Difference between "Uncertain Riches" and "The True Riches."
In Proverbs xxiii. 5, the wise man says, "Riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven"; and in chapter viii. 18, he says, "Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness."
In these two verses may be seen one difference between the "uncertain riches" and the "true" ones. The first passage of Scripture refers to the uncertain or earthly riches, which "make themselves wings" and "fly away." The second riches spoken of are the true ones, which Christ gives to His people, and which are durable, inasmuch as they last for ever and ever. This verse is spoken by Christ under the name of Wisdom.
In Christ's parable about the rich man and Lazarus (Luke xvi. 19-31), both kinds of riches are spoken of. The rich man had the uncertain riches in abundance, and was selfish, and kept them to himself, but the beggar, though destitute of this world's goods, was one of God's children, and had the true riches.
A man may be very rich, and be looking forward to a long life in which to enjoy his riches, like the rich man in the parable (see Luke xii. 16), when he may suddenly die, and then what good can his wealth do him? What Paul says in his first Epistle to Timothy is quite true. He says, "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (1 Tim. vi. 7); and the Psalmist says, in Psalm xlix. 16-18, "Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul."
But it is not so with those who have the true riches. They can never be disappointed in having to part with them, for, as before mentioned, they are everlasting. Christ said, in His sermon on the mount, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Matt. vi. 19, 20). Our riches are, as we know from experience, never really safe from harm and damage, as articles of apparel, however costly they may be, are, if very careful measures are not used, subject to being eaten by moths. Other things are spoiled by rust gathering on them, whilst money is never secure, because thieves may steal it; and even in banks the managers or clerks may be tempted to steal the money entrusted to them, or the bank may fail. Daniel Herbert says, in one of his hymns—
"Should all the banks in Britain break,
The Bank of England smash,
Bring in your notes to Zion's bank;
You're sure to get your cash."
One of Christ's gifts to His people is spoken of in 1 Peter i. 4. It is "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away," reserved in heaven for those who are "kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation."
Christ also gives His people "a crown of glory, that fadeth not away" (see 1 Peter v. 4). This crown is called, in Timothy, "a crown of righteousness"; and, in 1 Corinthians ix. 25, Paul calls it an "incorruptible" one; and James says, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him" (James i. 12).