Luke 14:1-6 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.… Dropsy is a disease which in general attacks only those of an advanced age. In a similar manner, from indifference to God and celestial things, and attachment to earthly goods, arises avarice — a vice to which many fall victims, especially in advanced years. I. SIMILARITY BETWEEN DROPSY AND AVARICE. 1. In the thirst occasioned by both. 2. In the sufferings occasioned by both. (1) Want of rest and joy. (2) Pains throughout the whole body. 3. In the dangerous character of the respective diseases. (1) Avarice is difficult of cure. (2) Should the avaricious man be converted, there is the utmost danger of his relapsing into his former sins. (3) Avarice frequently causes premature death. (4) Avarice causes everlasting death. II. DEATH THE DELIVERER FROM BOTH DISEASES. 1. Death and the grave warn us to despise earthly goods. 2. The judgment warns the avaricious to tremble on account of their possessions. For they provoke God — (1) By their injustice and hard-heartedness, which are often the cause of sins crying to heaven. (2) By the false confidence which they place in their goods. 3. Eternity teaches us to covet unfailing goods. (Venedien.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. |
    |