Love of the Things That Are in the World

Excessive love and devotion to that which in itself is lawful, proves the ruination of thousands upon thousands of souls. To matters of minor importance is often given the strength of intellect that should be wholly devoted to God. We need always to be guarded against carrying to excess that which, rightly used, is lawful. Many, many souls are lost by engaging in those things which, properly managed, are harmless, but which, perverted and misapplied, become sinful and demoralizing.19MR 245.3

Christ has given a parable [see Luke 14:16-24] in regard to the manner in which men and women receive the gospel invitation. “A certain man.” He said, “made a great supper, and bade many: and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse.19MR 245.4

“The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.” In putting his property before service for Christ, this man exalted a matter of minor importance above that which was of far greater importance.19MR 246.1

“And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.” This man represents those whose minds are so completely engrossed in caring for their earthly possessions, that they cannot appreciate the goodness and mercy of Christ in conferring upon them the honor of being invited guests at the great supper.19MR 246.2

“And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” The sin of this man was not in marrying, but in marrying one who divorced his mind from the higher and more important interests of life. Never should a man allow wife and home to draw his thoughts away from Christ, or to lead him to refuse to accept the gracious invitations of the gospel.19MR 246.3

As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days when the Son of man shall be revealed [see Luke 17:26, 27]. One of the most marked features of the earth's inhabitants in the days of Noah was their intense worldliness. They made eating and drinking, buying and selling, marrying and giving in marriage, the supreme objects of life. It is not sinful, but the fulfillment of a duty, to eat and drink, if that which is lawful is not carried to excess. And in the days of Noah it was lawful to marry. God Himself instituted marriage when He gave Eve to Adam.19MR 246.4

All God's laws are marvelously adapted to meet the nature of man. The sin of the antediluvians was in perverting that which in itself was lawful. They corrupted God's gifts by using them to minister to their selfish desires. The indulgence of appetite and base passion made their imaginations altogether corrupt. The antediluvians were slaves of Satan, led and controlled by him. They worshipped selfish indulgence—eating, drinking, merry-making—and resorted to acts of violence and crime if their desires and passions were interfered with.19MR 246.5

In the days of Noah the overwhelming majority was opposed to the truth, and enamored with a tissue of falsehoods. The land was filled with violence. War, crime, murder, was the order of the day. Just so will it be before Christ's second coming. The great multitude will be without Christ and without hope.19MR 247.1

Christ is coming soon. Satan knows that time is short, and that he has but a little while longer in which to work. He will not rest at ease, as many professed Christians are doing, but will continue to work with intensity.19MR 247.2

It cannot be said that the majority of those who claim to be Christians are truly spiritual-minded. As true today as when uttered by the lips of the great Teacher, are the words: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able” [Luke 13:24]. “For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” [Matthew 7:13, 14].19MR 247.3