The Shrine Of Mammon

Mar 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Mar 10:22  And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

At this, the man's face fell, and he went sadly away because he had Many possessions.

You see what the defect was in this young man. He did not possess the faith which overcomes the world. 

He wished to Unite two utterly Irreconcilable things: the Love of GOD, and the Love of Money. 

He wanted to serve Two Masters: GOD, and Mammon.

It was not open vice and profligacy that kept him from salvation.

It was the more decent and reputable sin, of Supreme Attachment to Worldly Things. 

He could give up many sins, but he could not give up his Besetting sin--Supreme regard for Wealth. 

He could do many things, but he could not give up All to follow Jesus.

He could give up open vice, but he could not deny himself and take up his cross. He had many good qualities, but he Lacked one thing.

If open vice has slain its thousands, then Worldliness has slain its tens of thousands!

Of all the false gods, the Shrine of Mammon is most resorted to.

It is from that Idolatrous Temple, that the broadest and most beaten path to the Bottomless Pit will be found.

Included in the crowd which press along that broad road that leads to destruction, are not only the blasphemous, the murderers, the liars and cheats, the proud, and the immoral.

But also those who follow things which are just, and honest, and true, and reputable.

Yet they rise no higher than to be the Worshipers of this sordid deity, Money!

Yes, even Mammon can boast of devotees who hate all that is vile, dishonorable and unjust.

In the Broad road which leads to destruction, there is a path for the Lovers of Money--as well as for the Lovers of Heinous Sins!

Luk 16:13  No servant 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.

~J. A. James