Article June 1, 1912 Issue

REAL TREASURE

LUTHER P. CUDWORTH

When one looks about in these days of world-wide prosperity and sees the immense amount of material treasure, the wealth which an ever-increasing proportion of the earth's inhabitants has succeeded in accumulating, the gorgeous display of luxury at private as well as state functions, he is apt to look upon his own little belongings or his apparent lack of them from an entirely new view-point. How little we know, however, of the lack of the real substance, of joy, peace, and spiritual understanding, which may characterize the experience of those who are thus displaying their material wealth! Are not the lives of most rich men filled with cares and anxieties with which none of us would desire to be burdened? Can we judge from the material evidence of what a man really possesses?

Considering material wealth in this perspective, we perceive its real value, or rather lack of value, and withhold all judgment of personality or individual weakness. The Master said, "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also;" and from this it is manifest that there is a rightful treasure which it is our privilege to have. In Proverbs we read, "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up." This is the true wealth which will satisfy all our desires. It is the real substance which sustains and supports. If this rightful treasure is a thing from God, it is ours by inheritance, for we are "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;" so too if from God, its supply is infinite, for we cannot conceive of God's supply being limited.

Thus we come logically to the point where we perceive that the Christian's supply is unlimited, a condition aptly illustrated to the writer by a man who is said to be "out of breath" from some strenuous physical exertion. There is plenty of air for him to breathe, and his only lack is the ability either through a belief of exhaustion or fear to inhale all that the system demands. Thus too is God's infinite supply of life, truth, and love, the real substance, always at hand, and our only possible lack is an ability to grasp the truth of being and assimilate it, thereby finding all we need or can rightly desire. This better understanding of Life will surely eventuate in better living, an understanding of Love, a right perception of Truth, the necessary wisdom to solve aright all our problems; hence a more harmonious existence.

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