As mentioned in the last blog, we are evaluating several sermons given by Thomas Chalmers who lived 200 years ago.
Chalmers states that certain virtues mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4:8 (things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable) Paul does not define. Rather he assumes his readers know what they already are and this includes the non-Christians who not only knew them but practiced them. [1] Chalmers asks how does that square with the Bible’s view of the depravity of humans? [2]
What Chalmers asserts is that much good is done with the expectation of a return. [3] Does a businessman who is honest exhibits that trait because his soul is honest or because he has found out through experience that the only way he can become wealthy is to be honest. Is he honest because that is what he is at his core or because he must be so in order to get what he wants? Would he be honest if he faced the loss of his business?
If a person is honest solely to enable him to become wealthy, then as Jesus says, that is its own reward. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (Matthew 6:2 ESV) [4] A businessman cannot expect that God will look favorably on him in the last judgment just because he was honest if the reason was solely for selfish reasons.
God wants a relationship with us that involves our entire being, our entire soul, not just part of our soul.
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[1] Thomas Chalmers. The Application of Christianity to the Commercial and Ordinary Affairs of Life. Hartford: Oliver D. Cooke, 1821. Reprinted by Sagwan Press, p.7
[2] Chalmers, p. 11.
[3] Chalmers, pp. 53-54.
[4] Chalmers, p. 26.
