THE FAMILY ALTAR

August 17.

"Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteous-

ness, that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting

habitations." Luke 16:9.

No matter how well-to-do we grow in this world, the time is

coming when we shall "fail," that is, when we shall no longer be

able to acquire wealth or enjoy it, but, leaving every penny behind

us, must die. But rich and blessed shall we be if in our life we

followed the admonition of our Lord here in our text — if we

made to ourselves friends with our wealth, which the Lord calls

"the mammon of unrighteousness" because it is generally acquired

by sinful means and used for unrighteous purposes. How can we

make friends with our money, friends that can receive us into

everlasting habitations? Not by hoarding it, as the misers do,

nor by spending it for selfish pleasure, as do the spendthrifts;

neither are we to think that we gain heaven by our deeds of charity.

Though a millionaire gave all he had to the poor, that would not

open the bright portals for him if he lacked saving faith in Christ,

who alone is the way and the door to God's everlasting mansions.

Only such friends can receive us in heaven as are in heaven, friends

whom we have helped to get to heaven by helping them to come

to faith in Christ or by comforting and sustaining them in their

faith. A converted heathen lay on his deathbed and said to his

missionary: "I am dying now and shall go to Jesus. I'll fall

down at His feet in praise and joy, and then stand at heaven's

door and wait for you. When you come, I'll lead you to Jesus

and say : This is the man who called me to Thee." Oh, if we all,

who are blessed by the Lord with worldly goods, would use them

more to help our poor brethren and in supporting His Gospel-

missions at home and abroad, how many such friends would be

waiting for us at heaven's door to welcome us with joy and grat-

itude ! What is all filthy lucre in the world compared with the

everlasting habitations where the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will

reward those who have served Him with their "mammon" by

comforting His bereaved ones or by winning souls for His kingdom

here and in heaven whom He has redeemed with His holy blood?

Grant us hearts, dear Lord, to yield Thee,

Gladly, freely of Thine own ;

With the sunshine of Thy goodness

Melt our thankless hearts of stone;

Till our cold and selfish natures,

Warmed by Thee, at length believe

That more happy and more blessed

'Tis to give than to receive.