Faith and The Pursuit of True Treasure
In Chapter 8 of Holiness, Ryle presents Moses’ story as a worthy example of faith for believers. Overcoming the temptations of rank and greatness, pleasures, and riches in Egypt, Moses willingly chooses suffering and affliction, the company of a despised people, and reproach and scorn, much like Christ. Hebrews 11:26 reveals a profound truth of how Moses overcame these great temptations of man:
“He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
In faith, Moses fought desire for worldly treasure with a greater desire for heavenly treasure. As Ryle explains:
“Faith told him that there was a reward in heaven for the believer far richer than the treasures in Egypt, durable riches, where rust could not corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal. The crown there would be incorruptible; the weight of glory would be exceeding and eternal” (Ryle 190).
A Misconstrued Christianity
This chapter made me reflect on the fact that Christianity can often be misconstrued as being inherently pleasure-averse, anti-riches, and dismissive of glory and greatness, given the biblical emphasis on sacrifice, suffering, self-denial, discipline, humility, and service. However, this interpretation misses the broader biblical narrative that embraces these concepts of glory, pleasure, and wealth in their proper, God-oriented context. In fact, I would claim that Moses, and other believers, do not give up rank and greatness, pleasures, and riches outright. They give up the rank and greatness, pleasures, and riches that are temporary and earthly (Colossians 3:2).
True Greatness
Firstly, Christians are deeply concerned about rank and greatness, but not as the world defines it:
“The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12).
Christ teaches that true greatness is found in humility and service. This is a radical inversion of worldly concepts of rank and greatness, where power and status are often pursued for personal gain. In our faith, greatness is redefined as serving others, following the example of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28). This reflects a kingdom value where the last shall be first, and the first last (Matthew 20:16).
True Pleasure
Secondly, Christians are deeply concerned about pleasure. In fact, they ought to be the most passionate hedonists of all time. How else would a believer exclaim with David:
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11)?
The Christian acknowledges that the truest and deepest pleasure is discovered in the joy of knowing and enjoying God (“Christian Hedonism”).
True Riches
Lastly, Christians are deeply concerned about riches; they are the greatest investors of all time. What else did Christ mean when he spoke the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl of great value? Jesus says:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:44-46).
In these parables, the kingdom of heaven is so valuable that it’s worth giving up all earthly possessions to obtain it. This perspective does not vilify material wealth but emphasizes its inferiority compared to the riches of eternal life in Christ; the return on this all-in investment is quite literally infinite!
As Christians endeavor towards godliness, count the cost of discipleship, and engage in evangelism, it is important to carry this perspective: Christianity does not outright reject pleasure, wealth, and rank, but rather reorients them. Let us seek a deeper pleasure, a richer wealth, and a truer greatness in loving God and making His name known in all the world. Amen.
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” - C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
Works Cited
- Ryle, J.C. Holiness. Banner of Truth, 2014.