"where his treasure is, there will his heart be also." Luke 12:34.
Many there are, in our day, who, under cover of religion, seek after earthly and carnal things; who use more diligence to become great and affluent by the gospel, than to be good and humble. They love "the praise of men, more than the praise of God." John 12:43. They choose rather to gratify the flesh in its sinful propensities, than to bring it down into true repentance and brokenness of spirit. But the character of the true believer in Christ is of an opposite kind. He is more concerned about eternal than temporal things; he seeks the glory that endures, more than that which passes away; he thirsts after heavenly and invisible riches, and not after those that are earthly and visible. In short, he mortifies and crucifies the flesh, in order that the spirit may live.
The sum of Christianity is to follow Christ. Hence, it should be our chief care to imitate the example which Christ has left us. Our thoughts and actions, our desires and labors, should all concentrate in the attainment of these three things, how we may come to Christ, then follow His examples and teachings, and be united with Him in the present and in all eternity.
Never should we cease to consider that endless duty to which we are called; but cheerfully await the dissolution of our earthly bodies, and a translation to that inheritance which is promised and reserved in heaven for us.
By these means, which habituate the soul more and more to the presence of God, there is begotten in man a holy thirst after eternal things; while a desire after earthly objects, which is insatiable in its evil nature, is at the same time powerfully restrained. This is taught by Paul in that precious saying: "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Col. 3:17.
The name of God, in which all things are to be done, is the honor, praise, and glory of God. To this all our works should tend; for then it is that they are wrought in God and will follow us into a blessed eternity.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Rev. 14:13.
Man is made either better or worse by that which he loves. He that loves God, partakes freely of the divine virtue and goodness that reside in Him; but he that loves the world, is defiled with all those sins and evils which attend it.