Matthew 6:19-21 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Hoarding.

The all-absorbing desire of humanity is happiness. A depraved heart naturally seeks this in the world. Money, which "answereth all things," is the exponent of the world's good. Hence the feverish desire to accumulate money. Wealth comes to be loved and laid up because it is loved. This hoarding is sin.

I. MAKING PROPER PROVISION FOR THE FUTURE IS NOT HERE CONDEMNED .

1. God commends this prudence in his system of nature.

2 . He commends it in the economy of grace.

3 . He commends it in the lessons of providence.

II. HOARDING IS DEPRECATED AS SINFUL AND PERNICIOUS .

1 . The hopes of riches are delusive.

2 . The love of riches is degrading.

3 . Riches invest death with additional terrors.

4 . Hoarded treasure is often a pernicious inheritance.

III. HOW DOES THE GOOD STEWARD MANAGE HIS ESTATE ?

1 . He claims no absolute right of acquisition.

2 . He accepts his maintenance from God.

3 . With the rest his problem is to secure the maximum of good.