I fear for myself

What are the dear things now? Gold, silver, precious stones, bank notes, mines, ships, lands, houses, horses, carriages, furniture, meat, drink, clothes and the like. These are the things that are thought valuable; these are the things that command a ready market. ; these are the things which can never get below a certain price. He that has much of these things is counted a wealthy man. Such is the world!

And what are the cheap things now? The knowledge of God, the free salvation of the Gospel, the favour of Christ, the grace of the Holy Ghost, the privilege of being God's son, the title to eternal life, the right to the tree of life, the reversion of a mansion in heaven, the promises of an incorruptible inheritance, the offer of a crown of glory that never fadeth away. These are the things that no man hardly cares for. They are offered to the sons of men without money and without price: they may be had for nothing, - freely and gratuitously. Whosoever will may take his portion. But, alas, there is no demand for things! They go a begging. They are scarcely looked at. They are offered in vain. Such is the world!

- Practical Religion by J.C Ryle pg 40.

Written more than a century ago, (first published in 1878) these words stand true until today. It is an apt description not merely of a trend but the nature of humanity itself. Such a description.. its a scary truth. The fact that man, who has been showered with the abundance of God's grace and mercy actually shows audacious contempt towards God by treating who He is and what He has done as cheap. I fear for myself. Thank God for these words penned, I have much soul searching and reflection to do.