'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — October 22

Directions against covetousness—Two: (4.) Consider the life of Christ and how he condemned worldliness by his example. He did not choose to be a prince, to have great possessions, lands, money, and bountiful provisions: 'The Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head' (Luke 9:58). His whole life is a perfect example of the contempt of the prosperity of this world (2 Cor. 8:9). (5.) Consider also the early believers. Did they not condemn worldliness? They sold their possessions and laid them at the apostles' feet. (6.) Consider the purpose of earthly things. Renounce them as a provision for lust, and devote them to God with yourselves. These sweet blessings enable us by faith to taste heaven's sweetness. They are drops from the river of eternal pleasures. They are messengers from heaven to testify of our Father's care and love. They direct us to thankfulness, love, and duty. They transmit a deep impression of the goodness of God upon the soul. They are the tools by which we must do much of our Master's work, express love to one another, and thus our Master. (7.) Remember that God has promised to provide for you if you seek first his kingdom and righteousness. If you truly believe that he is God, and that he is true, and that his particular providence extends to the numbering of your hair, you will surely trust him rather than trust to your own industry. His provision is better than your own. All your own care cannot keep you alive an hour, nor can it prosper any of your labours. (8.) Call yourselves to a daily reckoning how you have laid out all that is committed to your trust. Be more careful how to use what you have than to get more. This will quench your thirst after plenty and prosperity. We will give a strict account of our stewardship.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory, 1:219-21
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