Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/357

 it, "  If  thou  wilt  be  perfect,  go  sell  what  thou  hast,  and give  to  the  poor,  and  thou  shalt  have  treasure  in  heaven: and  come,  follow  Me." (Matt. xix.  21.)  It  is  therefore a  sign  and  effect  of  God's  love  to  a  person  when He invites  him  to  renounce  all  things,  and  follow  Christ by embracing  poverty. Examine what  God  requires  of you  on  this  point,  and  endeavor  to  be  poor  at  least  in affection,  in  order  that  you  may  the  more  easily  follow your Master,  "who,  being  rich,  became  poor  for  your sakes,  that  through  His  poverty  you  might  be  made rich." (2 Cor.  viii.  9.)

I. "  When  the  young  man  heard  this  word  ["  Go  sell  all thou hast  "],  he  went  away  sorrowful:  for  he  had  great possessions." (Matt. xix.  22.)  It  frequently  happens with us  that  we  make  resolutions  of  doing  great  things for God,  and  wish  for  occasions  of  suffering  for  Him, but when  the  occasion  offers,  we  fail  and  feel  a  melancholy apathy. Remark that  this  young  man  refused  to obey  Christ's  call  because  he  was  rich. If God  had  not bestowed riches  upon  him,  he  would  probably  have  been a favorite  disciple. If, therefore,  God  have  removed this impediment  from  you,  be  grateful  for  the  favor:  for otherwise, being  entangled  with  the  cares  of  this  world and hindered  by  them  from  obeying  the  call  of  God,  you might have  been  lost.

II. Consider the  observation  which  Christ  made  after the young  man's  departure:  "  How  hardly  shall  they  that have  riches  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God!  For  it  is easier  for  a  camel  to  pass  through  the  eye  of  a  needle,