XXI. LOVE OF THE WORLD. CO

VETOUSNESS.

CONTENT.

Love of the world-Ruinous to the soul-Love it not, live separately from it-God will punish lovers of the world-Vanity of the world-Commands against covetousness, advantages of content.

1. Is the love of the world ruinous to the soul?

What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (16 Mt. 26.)

2. Do large possessions always promote happiness?

The sleep of a labouring man is sweet whether he eat little or much, but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. (5 Ec. 12.)

3. What cautions do the Scriptures give?

If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. (62 P. 10.) Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. (3 Col. 2.)

4. Can we serve two such opposite masters, as the world and God together?

No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.

(6 Mt. 24.)

5. How far is godliness profitable to us?

Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (I. Tim. 4. 8.)

6. What duty was Titus commanded to impress on the young?

Teach the young women to be sober-Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded. (2 Tit. 4, 6.)

7. What does the grace of God teach?

The grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly Justs, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (2 Tit, 11, 12, 13, 14.)

8. What does St. John say, as to the love of the world?

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (I. Jn. 2, 15.)

9. Does God require us to differ from the world?

Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (12 Ro. 2.)

10. Did the apostle glory in being crucified unto the world?

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (6 Gal. 14.)

11. Is the friendship of the world totally incompatible with the love of God?

Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God, whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (4 Jas. 4.)

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12. How did Solomon sum up the total of all mere worldly pleasures?

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. (1 Ec. 2.)

All is vanity and vexation of spirit. (2 Ec. 17.)

13. What exhortation does Solomon give on this subject?

Labour not to be rich, cease from thine own wisdom; wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings, they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (23 Pr. 4, 5.)

14. How are we required to use worldly enjoy

ments?

Use this world as not abusing it, for the fashion of this world passeth away. (I. Cor. 7, 31.)

15. What charge was Timothy required to give the

rich?

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. (I. Tim. 6. 17, 18.)

16. What is the tenth commandment?

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. (20 Ex. 17.)

17. For what does the Psalmist pray?

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. (119 P. 36.)

18. How does Christ caution against covetousness? Take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (12 Lk. 15.)

19. What is this disposition called?

Covetousness, which is idolatry. (3 Col. 5)

20. How does the apostle exhort the Hebrews against this sin?

Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have, for He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. (13 Heb. 5.)

21. Are piety and contentment preferable to large

possessions?

Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith. (15 Pr. 16.)

Better is an handful with quietness than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. (4 Ec. 6.)

22. What was Agur's earnest desire and prayer?

Remove far from me vanity and lies, give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with food convenient for me, lest I be full and deny thee and say Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain, (30 Pr. 8, 9.)

23. How does Christ exhort us to avoid worldly anxiety and seek spiritual blessings?

Therefore take no thought, saying what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed ;for your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (6 Mt. 31, 32, 33, 34.)

24. Should God's care of the birds, lead us to de

pend on him?

The life is more than meat, and the body than raiment. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which neither have storehouse, nor barn, and God feedeth them; how much more are ye better than fowls. (12 Lk. 23. 24.)

25. What does the apostle Paul say to Timothy on this subject?

Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out, and having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition, for the love of money is the root of all evil. (I. Tim. 6. 6 to 10.)

26. How did St. Paul learn content?

I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content, I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (4 Phi. 11, 12, 13.)

27. How does he exhort others?

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (4 Phi. 5, 6,7.)