Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: October 26th

Knowing, that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.- Colossians 3:24.

Saving knowledge is accompanied with humility, productive of love to Jesus, and delight in his service. To desire to know more of the truth, in order to gain greater measures of love, and more cheerful conformity to him, this is praiseworthy. "For whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed."- James 1:25. Christian, thou art not called to dream over dry disquisitions and subtle refinements, merely to fill thy brain with nice speculations; but to have thy heart warmed with love, thy practice influenced to obedience, as well as thy judgment established in truth. Remember thy calling, study thy reward, glory in being a servant of Jesus; his work is pleasant, his service perfect freedom, his wages infinitely great, reward in thy work, reward for thy work, and an eternal inheritance when thy short day’s work is ended; and all of the rich favor and free grace of the Lord Christ.

Shall the pleasures of sin, which are but for a season, the vile drudgery of Satan, which is miserable bondage, the alluring smiles of a perishing world; shall these be placed in competition with the service of Jesus? "Knowing that we serve the Lord Christ." O, how does this sweeten duty, and make every path delightful! Canst thou hesitate one moment, when the question is, choose you this day whom you will serve, Christ or Satan? No, verily thou canst not, if so be thou hast tasted of the infinitely rich grace of the eternally precious Christ. Hath HE bought us with his blood? Redeemed us to God? Wrought out a righteousness to clothe and adorn us, and prepared mansions in heaven to receive us? And shall our conduct be contrary to our profession? Our practice not conformable to our judgment? Or our walk inconsistent with our faith? Where then is the proof that we serve the Lord Christ? What evidence that we know the Lord is interested in, or may expect the reward of his inheritance? We may well cry out, Woe to our wretched, sinful nature, which is contrary to Jesus, and is ever opposing his truth, ways, and love! Shame to us, we love him no more, nor serve him no better! Blessed be Jesus for the gift of his Spirit. O, that through his sanctifying and sin-mortifying operations, we may be in love, wholly devoted to his service, who in mercy wholly devoted himself for our salvation!

How strong thine arm is, mighty Lord!

Who would not fear thy name!

Jesus, how sweet thy graces are!

We love and serve the Lamb.

He has done more than Moses did,

Our Prophet and our King;

From bonds of hell he freed our souls,

Taught us to love and sing.

Take heed and beware of covetousness. Luke 12:15.

It is said, if a person seeks for the philosopher’s stone (which turns all metals into gold) with a covetous desire to be rich, he may be sure not to find it. We are sure, that precious jewel contentment, is not to be found in a covetous heart. Let philosophers and moralists reason ever so persuasively against the evil of covetousness, yet the love of money will rise superior to all. What mighty charms are there in gold! But the voice of our Beloved here speaks. His words are spirit and life. Hear then, O disciple, “take heed and beware.” Consider, (1st.) This admonition of thy Lord. It is redoubled. “Take heed: beware!” Just as the loving parent, seeing his dear child running into the jaws of danger, cries out with vehemence, Take care! take care! Fix this in thy mind, there is great, very great danger here. Our Lord sees it. His love speaks with the utmost earnestness, that we may avoid covetousness. (2d.) What is covetousness? One gave a good definition of it. Being persuaded to leave off business, as he had got enough, replied, What is enough? It is a little more than a man has. Consider, (3d.) The evil of covetousness. That insatiable desire prevents present contentment, destroys thankfulness, yea, and keeps the enjoyment of Christ out of the heart. Can a covetous man be happy in God? No: no more than Dives could have been happy under the dreadful circumstances of Lazarus full of hunger and sores. Will any one ask, What harm is there in the love of riches, and coveting of them? St. Paul expressly answers, “A covetous man is an idolater,” (Ephesians 5:5.) Is there no harm in that? Our Lord says, “Seek ye first, (principally, chiefly, and above all other things) the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added,” (Matthew 6:33.) Is there no harm in reversing Christ’s command: putting a slight upon his kingdom of love, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; so as to prefer riches before it? Soul, consider, What is your profession? Are the unsearchable riches of Christ enough to satisfy your mind, or are they not? Can enjoyment of fellowship with Christ make your heart happy or not? Have you faith to believe this, or have you not? Does Christ here caution you to no purpose, where there is no danger? O lay this to heart. Cry to the Lord. Covetousness is natural to us. Lively faith in Christ will destroy it. For, it will enable the soul to say with St. Paul, “I am full and abound.” Philippians 4:18.

Is Christ my portion and my share,

And can’t I be content?

Beware, my soul to covet more-

Talents are only lent.

See, see the thousands who now run

In full pursuit of gold;

They give up Christ, and very soon

For gold their God they sold.