WITH a light heart and not a care, the shoe-black sat with his hands over one knee, laughing as he looked at his well-trained dog, who sat on a box to do his bidding, holding the old tin bucket in his mouth, and looking at his master as if waiting to be told what next to do.
It was not the wealth of this world that made that boy happy, for he cared not for these things, and seemed to be in a measure, contented with his meagre earnings, and to have a little fun with his dog. In fact, he had not taken responsibility upon his shoulders, and was, in this respect, just like most boys. Nevertheless, he was cared for and had his needs supplied. But, we know, as he would get older, he would look at things in this life more seriously, and have a great deal more care with all he would do.
One might ask how is it that such a boy can get along? Indeed, one might wonder how each one in the world can manage to make a living? There is one verse in God’s Word that enables us to understand how such, and indeed all, are cared for, and that is in 1 Tim. 4:1010For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (1 Timothy 4:10). There we learn that the living God is the Saviour, or Preserver, of all men, specially of those who believe.
The living God, the creator of all things, is watching over all and is giving what He sees is best, He allows some to take a great deal of this world’s goods, and thus heap to themselves many riches; and from others He sees fit to withhold this world’s goods, and we know He has a wise purpose in it all. He tells us in Luke 16:19-3119There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19‑31) of a rich man and a poor man. The rich man had left God out of all his ways, but the end of that man was dreadful, for after he died, he was in torment; but the end of the poor man was with blessing, for after he died he was cared for and was in happiness.
He had believed God’s Word, and had taken heed to it; whereas the rich man had not believed it, so when he found he could not get out of the place of torment into which his unbelief had landed him, he called to father Abraham, to warn his five brothers, who were on earth, so that they would not come into that place; but Abraham had to tell him,
“They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.”
Then he replied, If one went unto them from the dead, they will repent, but Abraham said,
“If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
This does not show to us that no rich people can be saved, but here was a man, who allowed his riches and his luxury to so fill his mind, that God and His Word were forgotten. And that is the case with a great many. But, on the other hand, the poor are often, by their poverty, brought to think of God and turn to His Word, and there they learn what the true riches are—eternal things—secured for them, by the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ah, dear reader, you may be poor, or you may be rich in this world’s goods; but if you do not have Christ as your Saviour, you will not only be poor for ever and ever after you leave this life, but you will be in torments.
The question is then, not, how can you get along in this life, or what momentary pleasure can you get, like the boy in the picture; but, will you be poor, or will you be rich for eternity; will you have happiness, or will you have woe?
Now is the time to settle it. Be not heedless and thoughtless, like the shoe-black, but believe now on the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who gave His life that you might live; and eternal bliss, with that Saviour, will be yours forever.
ML 08/02/1925