Back |  |  |  |  |  | Contents |  |  |  |  |  | Next

##### Scripture Proves That Heavenly Wares Are the Best in Their Own Nature

{Proof That the Heavenly Trade is the Best Trade

The Nature of Those Things about which Wisdom’s Merchants Deal

Scripture Proves That Heavenly Wares Are the Best in Their Own Nature}

First, the Scriptures will tell you that there are no wares like heavenly wares: “Indeed their rock is not like our Rock, Even our enemies themselves judge this” (Deuteronomy 32:31 NASB). “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You” (Psalm 63:3 NASB). And the light of His countenance is better than the increase of grain, wine, and oil (Psalm 4:6–7).149 “The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (Psalm 119:72 NASB). Tried faith is much better than gold, which perishes (1 Peter 1:7).150 “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10 ESV). No one in Heaven is like God and no one on earth can be compared to Him (Psalm 73:25).151 To make provision for the soul is the one thing needed. To enjoy Christ and spiritual things is the better part that will never be taken away (Luke 10:42).152 The kingdom of God is the primary thing to be sought, and sought first (Matthew 6:33).153 It is to be first in desire and first in time. Very many testimonies may be produced from Scripture to attest to this truth: that the heavenly trade is the best trade and there are no goods like heavenly goods. What do you trade for here [on earth]? Is it for more than earthly life that you plan and work? You gain no more out of earth than food, drink, clothing, money, land, reputation, and the like; these only tend to earthly life. But the favor of God is better than earthly life. One gracious look or one whisper of peace from God weighs down all those. Riches, pleasures, and honors do not make a happy man or woman. The Scriptures never tell of any people who were blessed [merely] because they had an abundance of earthly things [while living apart from God], but rather, calls them miserable, unhappy, and subject to more fears and dangers (Ecclesiastes 5:11–17).154 But godliness makes a man blessed (Psalm 1:1–2),155 and pardon of sin makes a person happy (Psalm 1:1–2, 32)156 in God’s account. God’s testimony is truth itself and is to be relied upon beyond all the supposed supports of blinded opinion and false hopes.157

149“There are many who say, ‘Who will show us any good?’ Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased” (Psalm 4:6–7 NKJV).

150“So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7 NASB).

151“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25 ESV).

152“But only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42 NASB).

153“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV).

154“When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes? The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a severe evil—Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind? All his days he also eats in darkness, And he has much sorrow and sickness and anger” (Ecclesiastes 5:11–17 NKJV).

155“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1–2 NASB).

156“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1–2 ESV). “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1 ESV).

157The editor wishes to emphasize again that none of this is mere literary hyperbole; the value and duration of human life, and even of the universe, are finite, while Heaven and Hell are eternal and Christ is infinitely worthy.

Back |  |  |  |  |  | Contents |  |  |  |  |  | Next