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I. WEALTH WITHOUT THE RICHES OF THE WORLD. "Having nothing, yet possessing all things."

1. This may be true of men as men.

(1) Knowledge is wealth. A child well educated is better endowed, though his parents do not give him a single penny, than the child who is uneducated, and who is heir to a large fortune.

(2) Wisdom is wealth. The prudence and sagacity which enable a man to see what is best is the most valuable capital with which a man can conduct business.

(3) Contentment is wealth. To make the best of things as things are.

(4) Hope is wealth. Because a man has but brass to-day, and is looking forward to gold tomorrow.

(5) Cheerfulness is wealth.

(6) Love awakened by all that is true, beautiful, and good, is wealth.

2. But look specially at the wealth of a true Christian. He possesses —

(1) The Spirit of God, and in Him light and life and love.

(2) In the Son of God a Redeemer who is devoted to him, to save him from his sins.

(3) In the God to whom he is reconciled, a Father. He is "an heir of God, and a joint heir with Christ."(4) In salvation the greatest good which God can bestow and a title to "an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." 15) As a saved and sanctified man, knowledge, wisdom, contentment, cheerfulness, hope, love.

(6) All the most useful things — "living bread," "living water," raiment that waxeth not old — "robes of righteousness and garments of salvation."(7) All the most enduring things — "an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away."(8) All the most precious things, "for all things are yours." "My God shall supply all your need from His glorious riches by Christ Jesus." "He that overcometh shall inherit all things."

II. THE POWER OF ENRICHING OTHERS CO-EXISTING WITH POVERTY. The "making many rich" is not dependent on material wealth.

1. Well doing is required of all, irrespective of poverty or of riches. Multitudes have done good without material wealth. The chief benevolent and religious works are done by those who live by their daily labour. Look through our Sunday and Ragged Schools, etc., and the evidence is complete. Some of you who "possess all things," in another sense, are keeping back from "making many rich."

2. True riches cannot be purchased with money, and the rich are not God's elect to make others rich. "God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith," etc.Conclusion:

1. Rich Christians who have been brought low may learn a cheerful lesson. I want such to see that they "possess all things" — a Saviour enthroned, a Father in heaven, the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

2. The poor, Who are kept poor, may learn a lesson of contentment. It is God's arrangement. God is using this as a means of discipline; He is teaching you certain things by poverty that you could not so well learn from any other tutor.

3. Let Christians learn —

(1) Their responsibility. Now there are some who are ever ready to sing, "How vast the treasure we possess!" But it would puzzle some of you to find anybody enriched by you — by your instruction or consolation.

(2) Their privilege. To "possess all things" is a privilege, but it is a far greater privilege to make others "rich." Oh! to make one poor neglected brother rich. But to make "many rich," this is to share the joy of heaven — this is to taste that satisfaction of the Saviour which rewarded Him for the travail of His soul. Let this stimulate you. If God put money into your hand, He does so prudently and properly to scatter, not to hoard. You may do as much good in circulating your money in employing labour as by bestowing it in what is called charity. There is like danger of covetousness with regard to our spiritual privileges. If we do "possess all things," we should certainly be moved by such a possession to strive to make others "rich."

(S. Martin.)

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KJV: As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

WEB: as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and not killed;