Rich Poor People
A LETTER has just reached me from a venerable lady whose life-clock has reached to-day the high mark of eighty-eight. She has been for many years the inmate of a charitable “Home” for the aged and the impoverished — a kindly provided ‘’Snug-Harbor” for those whose fortunes have been wrecked by the storms of adversity. This good woman is one of God’s heiresses, and is getting part of her great inheritance in this world; for poor as she is in purse, she writes me that she is daily feeding on her Bible, and has just been reading a consolation which has “greatly joyed her heart.” No letter of condolence for such a happy soul as that; in God’s sight she is one of the richest women in that city. “The Lord is my portion,” saith her cheerful soul. 91
There are plenty of earthly cisterns that are being shattered, or are running dry. The chief thing in the cistern was money, and that has leaked away. The bags that hold a rich man’s money are “full of holes.” While he is sleeping the fire may consume his warehouses, the gales may wreck his ships, or his stocks and bonds may be dwindling towards worthlessness. I once overtook and walked in a New York street with a man who in former days had been a financial king; I talked with him out of sheer compassion, for he looked so lonesome, and nobody noticed him. His sceptre had been broken, and those who had courted him in his days of prosperity had “cut” him in the wintry days of his adversity. His investments had been swept away; and that raises the vitally important question whether there are not some investments in this world that we can make which are absolutely certain never to depreciate?
Yes, there are. The Bible speaks of them as the “portion of the soul.” It is an actual solid possession, and it is one that meets the 92
I soul’s necessities. That man or woman is well off who has what meets and satisfies his or her real wants. Many of the so-called “want’’ are really fictitious. Daily bread is an actual necessity, and Christ teaches us to pray for that; but a sumptuous dinner is a luxury. It is not really necessary for anyone’s health or happiness of heart that he should have a handsome house or a large bank account, or a luxurious table, or high social rank, or any of those things ‘’for which the Gentiles seek.” There are certain possessions, however, that are indispensable to our happiness; they are — peace of mind, a clear conscience, the forgiveness of our sins, the favor of God, the chance to be more or less useful, and that infinite wealth that is summed up in having Jesus Christ in our souls.
More than one person who is under the harrow of pecuniary anxiety or some other sharp affliction will read this article, and say, “Well, I wish I could feel as contented as that cheerful old lady in that charity “Home.” Her fortune had been lost, and 9J yet she is rich; her kindred are gone, and yet she is not lonely. My friend, just inventory the good things that you may have if you will seek for them in the right place and the right way.
The value of a banknote depends on the assets of the bank; and the value of God’s promises depends on the resources of His power and boundless love. My friend, just open your casket and read such promises as these: ‘’No good things will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” — “I will never forsake thee” — “My grace shall be sufficient for thee.” God never defaults in His promises. Do you crave friendship? Then find a Friend who “sticketh closer than a brother.” Are you lonesome? Listen to that sweet voice — “Lo! I am with you always.” Are you often distracted with worries? Cast your cares on Him; He careth for you. Just think who it is that says, “My peace I give unto thee.” Do you crave a full assurance that all is well with you? Then practice the faith of adherence to Christ. Remember that faith 94 is the milk, and assurance is the cream that rises on it; if your milk is half water, you cannot expect much cream. When income runs down low, invest more in kind deeds to other people; that pays solid comfort. Is your heart aching at the sight of that empty crib, or of that empty chair at your plain table? Then don’t let your grief stagnate! it will turn to poison; draw it off by trying to help somebody poorer than yourself. The saddest thing about grief is that it tends to make us brood, and grow selfish. Wealth or poverty, cheerfulness or discontent, sunshine or darkness depends on our own hearts. With Jesus Christ securely there, you are rich. That cheerful letter that inspires this article was written by an aged hand in the “Louise Home” in a certain city. Methinks the dear Master was whispering to her, as He does to all of us who trust Him — “A little while and ye shall see Me; I go to prepare a place for you, and will come again and receive you unto Myself.”