364. ECC 7:14. THE DAY OF PROSPERITY

Ecc_7:14. The Day of Prosperity

"In the day of prosperity be joyful," &c.’97Ecc_7:14.

Among the varied excellences of true religion, none more striking than its adaptation and appropriateness to all the circumstances and conditions in life. Its instructions, admonitions, and consolations are suited to every possible variety of state in which we are called to pass in this valley of tears. Now, this is one proof of its divinity. It is a religion suited to every man, and to every man in every lot, and in every situation. Here, we meet with addresses to the young, the middle aged, and the old. To the master and the servant; the parent and the child; the rich and the poor; the happy and the afflicted. Now, the two latter classes are addressed in the text. Now, on the present occasion, we shall confine ourselves to those in prosperity. Let us,

I. Define Prosperity.

Several things are necessary to constitute prosperity.

1. There must be temporal competency.

As living creatures we have a variety of wants. Food, raiment, habitations. All these are indispensable to our comfort. Now, where this competency is possessed, an individual may be as happy as the monarch of a nation.

2. There must be bodily health.

Without this, the whole world cannot yield us enjoyment. The balm of life: the honey of human existence. What avail dignities, honors, and riches, friends &c.?

3. There must be the interchanges of friendship.

Man is a social creature. A great portion of our joy or sorrow depends upon the social circle wherein we move. Nothing of an earthly kind yields sweeter pleasure than the possession of friends. Those who are interested in our happiness. Solicitous for our welfare. Those who rejoice in our joys, and weep with our tears. Those who counsel us’97who cheer us’97who are always ready to aid us. "As iron," &c. How much more the voice’97the soothing, encouraging voice of friendship! Alas! even relations, the nearest kindred, often cannot be numbered among our friends.

4. There must be the enjoyment of the favor and peace of God.

No condition in life can be truly or substantially happy without this. If man had the whole world for his portion, without this, he is not, he cannot be happy. No, there will be an aching void; mental restlessness; torturing anxiety, &c., &c., Happy are they whose God is the Lord. His favor is life; his lovingkindness better than life. More than these are not necessary to prosperity. Let us,

II. Expose its Dangers.

Every situation has its snares. Every condition its dangers. Every circumstance its temptations. Now, what are the peculiar dangers of prosperity?

1. We are in danger of forgetting God.

See Pro_30:7. In danger of self dependence. When all is light and prosperous, do not see so much need of God. So long as the lake of Galilee was calm, he disciples disturbed not the sleeping Redeemer.

2. We are in danger of pride.

We too often judge of ourselves by what we have, rather than by what we are. What a striking instance in Nebuchadnezzar! Dan_4:30.

3. We are in danger of deception.

When in prosperity, men are generally surrounded by flatterers. Servants flatter; friends flatter; our own hearts flatter. Then, how easy it is to be deceived! Without great discrimination, and much prayer, it will be almost impossible to avoid deception.

4. We are in danger of worldly conformity.

Worldly society, worldly maxims, worldly dress, &c. It will be difficult to avoid the eddying stream. Demas was rich; and it is said of him by an apostle, "He hath forsaken me, having loved the present world." We are,

5. In danger of earthly-mindedness.

If riches increase, set not your hearts upon them. But have you ever felt how difficult this is? When poorer, you were liberal and generous. But did this feeling grow and increase with your prosperity? How few can say this! The love of money is the root of all evil. War has slain its millions. Plague, fevers, and pestilence, their myriads. But avarice vastly more than all these together. Let us,

III. Exhibit its Privileges.

"In the day of prosperity be joyful." The first idea is, that,

1. Of enjoyment.

Be joyful or happy. God desires his creatures to be happy. For this, his bounty is abundant’97yea, overflowing. God does not love self-inflicted tortures, Ecc_3:11-12, Ecc_3:13. The father delights to see his children enjoy those comforts he is able to give them. A man his friends, &c. Godliness, with contentment, is great gain. Then our joy,

2. Should be that of gratitude.

Every creature of God is good; and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. 1Ti_4:4. "Giving thanks always, for all things to God." Eph_5:20. By this, we shall be prevented from exalting ourselves. By this, every blessing will be doubly blest. By this, God will be well pleased. "In every thing give thanks," &c.

3. It must be the joy of benevolence.

Have we been blessed with prosperity? then the inquiry is, "What shall I render unto the Lord," &c.? Now, God says "Thou shalt remember the poor," &c. See 1Ti_6:17. Then there is Christ’s cause at home and abroad. Now, this is the essence of enjoyment. God does not possess greater felicity than that of doing good. Oh, see that appeal Job was enabled to make, Job_29:11.

4. Let it be the joy of moderation.

Brethren, the time is short, let those that rejoice, be as those that rejoice not. All distinctions will soon terminate. No distinctions in the grave. Soon our riches, our books, our houses, will be possessed by others. Let all things be he’d with a slack hand. Let us not depend upon earthly good’97all is fleeting and evanescent. "The fashion of this world," &c. "This is not our rest," &c. "Desire a better country," &c.

APPLICATION.

Let me address three descriptions of character:

1. Those who possess spiritual prosperity and not temporal. Sanctified poverty is infinitely better than unhallowed prosperity.

2. Those who possess temporal without spiritual prosperity. "What will you do," &c.

3. Those who possess neither, how utterly wretched.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS