But, as always in the Gospel, our Lord
looks behind practice to motive; and it is clear that the motive for
the abandonment of wealth is not to be a desire to act with a
selfish prudence, in order to lay an obligation upon God to repay
one generously in the future for present sacrifices, but rather the
attainment of an individual liberty, which leaves the spirit free to
deal with the real interests of life. And one must not overlook the
definite promise that if a man seeks virtue first, even at the cost
of earthly possessions and comforts, he will find that they will be
added as well.
Those who would discredit the morality of the Gospel would have one
believe that our Saviour in dealing with shrewd, homely, literal
folk was careful to promise substantial future rewards for any
worldly sacrifices they might make; but not so can I read the
Gospel. Our Saviour does undoubtedly say plainly that we shall find
it worth our while to escape from the burdens and anxieties of
wealth, but the reward promised seems rather to be a lightness and
contentment of spirit, and a freedom from heavy and unnecessary
bonds.
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