John Murray: The Heart of the Biblical Ethic

If you haven't read John Murray's Principles of Conduct: Aspects of Biblical Ethics go order it now. J. I. Packer says in his introduction that this is Murray's masterpiece. It is excellent!

Here's an excerpt from chapter 4 "The Ordinance of Labour":

The New Testament fully apprises us of the dangers incident to wealth and it is unsparing in its condemnation of the vices which so frequently beset the rich. In the same context Paul warns us that 'the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils' and that those who have set there hearts on riches 'fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition', that some, who covet after riches, 'have been led astray from the faith and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows' (1 Timothy 6:9, 10). How could it be otherwise? We are at the heart of the biblical ethic, the lust for wealth is covetousness, and covetousness is idolatry. And not only are we at the heart of ethics; we are at the heart of religion. Godliness is not a way of gain (cf. 1 Timothy 6:5). Religion is not a living. Religion is trust in God and its fruit, the opposite of covetousness, is contentment. 'Godliness with contentment is great gain . . . and having food and raiment, we shall be therewith content' (1 Timothy 6:6, 8) (emphasis added, 90).

This has become a recurring conviction in my heart and the subject of much of my praying lately, both for the church in my context (i.e. upper middle class suburbia) and for me. Too often I find thorns encroaching where God would grow lush fruit, fruit that will last. May the Holy Spirit working by and with the Word mortify the sin that remains in our hearts to the glory of our heavenly Father!