II, 1-4. Value of Riches in the Eye of the World.

1.

A poor man is glorified for his knowledge; and a rich man is glorified for his riches.

Ecclesiasticus x, 30. (Apoc.)

2.

Strive not with a rich man, lest haply he overweigh thee; for gold hath destroyed many, and turned aside the hearts of kings.

Ecclesiasticus viii, 2. (APOC.)

3.

If a mighty man invite thee, be retiring, and so much the more will he invite thee. Press not upon him, lest thou be thrust back; and stand not far off, lest thou be forgotten. Affect not to speak with him as an equal, and believe not his many words: for with much talk will he try thee, and in a smiling manner will he search thee out. Ecclesiasticus xiii, 9-11. (APOC.)

4.

Many will entreat the favour of the

liberal man: and every man is a friend

II, 5-7.

to him that giveth gifts. All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursueth them with words, but they are gone.

Proverbs xix, 6-7. (R.V.)

5.

It is not right to dishonour a poor man that hath understanding; ... And who will glorify him that dishonoureth his own life?

Ecclesiasticus x, 23, 29. (APOC.)

6.

A rich man when he is shaken is held up of his friends; but one of low degree being down is thrust away also by his friends.

Ecclesiasticus xiii, 21. (APOC.)

7.

A rich man speaketh, and all keep silence; and what he saith they extol to the clouds: A poor man speaketh, and they say, Who is this? and if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him.

Ecclesiasticus xiii, 23. (Apoc.)

8.

II, 8-10.

Take not up a burden above thy strength; and have no fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than thyself. What fellowship shall the earthen pot have with the kettle? This shall smite and that shall be dashed in pieces.

Ecclesiasticus xiii, 2. (APOC.)

Value of Riches in the Eye of God.

9.

Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. . . . He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Luke i, 46-47, 51-53. (A.v.)

10.

Jesus said, Take heed, and beware of

covetousness; for a man's life consisteth

II, 11-12.

not in the abundance of the things

which he possesseth.

Luke xii, 15. (A.V.)

11.

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: but the rich in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James i, 9-11, 27. (a.v.)

12.

Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted and thou art in anguish.

Luke xvi, 25. (R.V.)

Poverty Blessed.

13.

II, 13-16.

Jesus lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

14.

Luke vi, 20. (A.V.)

Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

15.

James ii, 5-7. (A.v.)

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Proverbs xxviii, 6. (a.v.)

16.

Better is a dinner of herbs where love

is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Proverbs xv, 17. (a.v.)