goods for many years he might take his rest and eat and drink and make merry. But no sooner was his plan accomplished than God said to him: "Thou fool ! this very night do I demand thy soul of thee." Why was God so harsh with him? We do not read that his riches were ill-gotten, or that he turned away the needy. His crime was forgetfulness of others, selfishness, because, says Christ, " he laid up treasures for himself and was not rich towards God," and God's earthly representatives, the poor. The last and worst of the Gospel millionaires was Dives. He clothed himself in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day, but never a crumb would he give to Lazarus, dying of starvation on his doorstep. But Dives died and was buried in hell. Brethren, there is never a modern millionaire but can find his prototype in one of the Gospel three. Be it that riches are his only fault; belong he to the selfish class, or the unmerciful, he is sure to learn in the history of these three what Christ thinks of him and what will probably be his fate hereafter. Thou art not worthy to be My disciple; this night do I demand thy soul of thee; and judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy.
Brethren, go back in thought to Jesus amid the throng, the miraculous banquet ended, blessing them, and with a gracious smile bidding them go in peace. What a contrast between that feast and that other just then being celebrated in King Herod's palace in honor of himself — his birthday. Lavish expenditure, sinful luxury, incest, with never a thought of the poor
