Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon. Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2010.
“You art my portion, O Lord.” Psalm 119:57, KJV
Look at your possessions, all those who believe in Christ Jesus, and compare your portion with that give to your fellow men.
Some of have their riches in the field. They are rich in land, and their harvests yield them a golden increase. But what good are harvests compared with your God, who is the God of harvests? Of what use are bursting barns full of grain compared with Him, who is the expert caretaker, and feeds you with the bread of heaven?
Some have their riches in the city. Their wealth is abundant, and flows to them in constant streams, until they become overloaded with gold. But what good is gold compared with your God? You couldn’t live on it. Your spiritual life could not be sustained by it. Can you buy relief from a troubled conscience; can gold allay its pangs? Apply riches to a despondent heart, and see if it could satisfy a solitary groan, or lessen even a single grief. But you have God, and in Him you have more than gold or riches ever could buy.
Some have their riches in that which most men love – applause and fame. But ask yourself, isn’t your God more to you than that? What if great crows cheered their applause to you, would this prepare you to pass the Jordan, or help you in prospect of judgment? No, there are grief’s in life which wealth cannot alleviate. There is the deep need of a dying hour, for which no riches can provide. But when you have God for your portion, you have more than all else put together. In Him every need is met, whether in life or in death.
With God you are rich indeed, for He will supply your need, comfort your heart, assuage your grief, guide your steps, be with you in the dark valley, and then take you home, to enjoy Him as your portion forever.
“I have enough,” said Esau, and this is the best thing a worldly man can say. But Jacob replies, “I have all things,” which is a height too lofty for souls absent from their Savior, but not for you, who know Him in whom every need is met.
Questions: Have you been comparing yourself with others lately? How is this kind of comparison ultimately unfruitful?
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