"For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." -1 Timothy 6:10
Did the tempter come to Christ when he saw that he was hungry? Then let those of you who are reduced to a low estate learn that an hour of poverty is an hour of temptation, not only to murmur and doubt your own sonship and the divine favor, but also to advance yourself through unlawful means. “If you are the Son of God, command these stones into bread.” Remember the prayer of Agur who begged for moderation “lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God” (Prov. 30:9). Learn, therefore, you godly poor to be upon your guard and remember that poverty and temptations are no marks of your being cast off by God; for your Lord was hungry, he was tempted to doubt his sonship on account of this. Learn not to distrust the Lord but to see him as your Father who is in heaven. Angels came and ministered to Jesus, and he who is Lord of the angels will send some kind of messenger or other to relieve your wants. Your extremity will be Christ’s opportunity. Make your wants known to him, for he cares for you ... and those of you who are rich in this world, watch and pray unless you fall into Satan’s temptations. Those who are exalted above your fellow man, as on the pinnacle of the temple, take heed lest by spiritual pride, vanity, or any other sin that entangles you cast yourselves down. Oh, that it may be said of us as the papists used to say of Luther: “That German beast does not love gold.”
George Whitefield Daily Readings by Randall J. Pederson (editor) is available at any good Christian bookstore. If you don’t have a Christian bookstore near you, you may want to consider purchasing a copy from one of the online book retailers listed below:
