Man's Chief Treasure
W. Clarkson Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Keep thy heart above all keeping (marginal reading). Evidently there is a precious treasure which, as the disciples of Wisdom, we are charged to keep. We ask - I. WHAT ARE THE CHIEF TREASURES WE HAVE IN CHARGE? These are threefold. 1. That which belongs to us, but which is entirely without us - our money, our houses, our lands, our shares, our ships, our precious documents, our "valuables." 2. That which is more closely related to us, but is still outside ourselves - our bodily frame, the tabernacle of our spirit, and, with this, our physical health and strength; the clear eye, the healthy brain, the strong nerve. 3. Our own very selves - that spiritual nature in virtue of which we are said to be "created in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27). These are the treasures we may "keep." II. WHICH IS THE ONE OF SUPREME VALUE, AND WHY? "Keep thy heart above all keeping." That which is nearest ourselves must be of more value to us than that which is further from us. To keep our temporal estate is to preserve that which is precious, but which is not ourselves. To maintain our health is most desirable, but our body is only our temporary home and organ; it is something we can lose and yet ourselves be. But our heart, that is our own very self. God made us, not to have, but to be, living souls: that in us, that of us which thinks, loves, hopes, worships, rejoices in the spiritual and the Divine, that is ourself, and to keep that must be the supreme duty; that is to be kept beyond all keeping. But the wise man says there is a special reason why we should keep our heart beyond all keeping; he says, "for out of it are the issues of life." In other words, a well guarded heart is the spring and source of all that is best in human life. 1. The holy thoughts and pure feelings and kind purposes which flow therefrom are, in themselves, a large part and the very best part of human life. 2. A well guarded heart will prove the source of a well regulated life - of a life of honesty, virtue, peaceableness, sobriety; and these will ensure prosperity, esteem, joy. 3. A well regulated heart will conduct to the life immortal in the heavenly land: this is the most blessed "issue" of all. With whatsoever anxiety, vigilance, diligence, we guard our temporal interests, or even our health and our mortal life, with far greater anxiety, far more eager vigilance, far more unremitting diligence, should we guard our heart - its purity, its tenderness, its devotion. III. WHAT ARE OUR FORCES OF DEFENCE? Wherewith shall we keep these hearts of ours? What are the forces at our command? They are these. 1. The power of introspection. We can interrogate and examine our own souls, and see how we stand, what need there is for penitence and for renewal. 2. The power of self-regulation. We can acquire healthful habits, pass regulative resolutions which will (1) keep us away from temptation, and (2) take us where our souls will be nourished and strengthened in things Divine. 3. The power of the Divine Spirit. We can ask and gain the "might [which comes from] his Spirit in the inner man." - C. Parallel Verses KJV: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. WEB: Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.