Rabbi Joseph's Love to the Synagogue
“/ have once and again read of one Rabbi Joseph, who, being allured by the hope of great gain, to teach Hebrew, at a place where there was 7io synagogue, is said to have brought forth this Scripture as his reason for rcfusitig: The law of thy 7nouth is better unto me than thousands of gold a?td silver.’’” Well done. Rabbi Joseph! We greatly fear that there are few of thy kindred who are of thy mind; for the heart of Israel seems to be set upon the precious metals. Nor can we blame Israel much, for the same is all too true concerning those who call themselves Christians. The chink of guineas is rare music even to them.
The greatest worldly advantages cannot compensate for the loss of spiritual privileges, and yet we know many who scarcely take this matter into consideration in the choice of their pursuits and positions in life.
A tradesman is earning a competence, and is able to attend the house of God, and to give part of his time and talents to the service of the church; and yet he thinks it to be advisable to cumber himself with extra worldly servitude, and thereby to render himself unable either to profit the church or to be profited himself by the services of the Lord’s house. Is this the way of wisdom? Can this man say that God’s words are more desired by him than gold, yea, than much fine gold?
A young man is in a fair position, where he has godly surroundings, and every opportunity for spiritual progress; and yet, for the sake of a few pounds more he puts himself into an un- Christian household, and loses every opportunity of uniting with his brethren in holy work and worship. Is this as it should be? Does not Rabbi Joseph greatly shame such a backsliding Ephraim?
If I were to choose a dwelling-house I would wish to be known as Justus was — for he was “a man that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.” I would hope to reverse the proverb, and prove that the nearer the church the nearer to God. Of course one’s calling, health, or circumstances might compel another choice; but I would ever give preference to a habitation near to a gospel ministry. If I were to choose a trade, I would select one which gave me leisure for .the service of the Lord Jesus. If I had the option of my condition in life, I would rather have less earth and more heaven than more earth and less heaven. It argues a poor state of spiritual health when the mass of Christian professors estimate their position solely and entirely by the money which it yields them. Surely they know, unless they are hypocrites ingrain, that a man’s life consists far more in the devotion which he enjoys than in the treasure which he accumulates.
My God, grant me grace ever to put the first first, and the last last. Let me use Paul’s scales, which were the balances of the sanctuary, and reckon that gain to be loss which is gained by loss of communion with thee, and that profit to be unprofitable which renders me less profitable to thee.