ion are almost certain indications of what we are
morally.

III. There are some things that are better than money, and that cannot
be purchased with it--These are indeed the best things. All that can
be bought money possesses actually or potentially, but there are some
things that cannot be bought. Love, friendship, nobleness of soul,
genius, cannot be purchased. We must estimate rightly the power of
money. It is great, but it may be exaggerated, (_a_) _Honesty_ is
better than money. If a man gains money at the expense of honesty and
integrity, he pays too great a price. He is like a savage who barters
jewels for a string of beads. (_b_) _Home_ is better than money. If a
man, struggling and striving to be rich, has no time for the joys of
family and the rich blessings that circle round the fireside, if he
knows nothing of the charm of love and the pleasures that spring from
the affections, he pays too great a price--"a costly house and
luxurious furnishings are no substitute for love in the home." (_c_)
_Culture_ is better than money. If a man grows up in ignorance and
vulgarity, shut out from the world of art, literature and science, and
all that refines and elevates the mind--a rude, uncultured boor--he
pays too great a price for any money he may scrape together. (_d_)
_Humanity_ is better than money. The rich man who leaves Lazarus
untended at his gates, who builds about him walls so thick that no cry
from the suffering world ever penetrates them, who becomes mean and
stingy, close-fisted and selfish, pays too great a price. Of such a
man it is said in Scripture that "in hell he lifted up his eyes."
Surely he made a bad bargain, (_e_) _Spirituality_ is better than
money. He who has made an idol of his wealth, who in gaining it has
lost his soul, who has allowed money to come between him and God, has
paid too great a price for it. He has well been depicted by John
Bunyan as the man with the muck-rake gathering straws, whilst he does
not see the golden crown that is held above him. Christ tells us God
regards such a man as a fool.

There are certain rules of conduct which may be laid down, drawn both
from Scripture and experience, in regard to money.

1. _We are especially to remember our stewardship_.--Money is a trust
committed to us, for which we are to give account unto God. We are
answerable to Him for the use we make of it. If we have amassed
wealth, from God has come the power that enabled