ALCOHOL:

Have You Counted the Cost?

"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contention? who hath

wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long

at the wine: they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the

wine when it is red, when it giveth its color in the cup, when it

moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent and

stingeth like an adder" (Proverbs 23:29-32). The Bible portrays a

very true picture of the lover of alcohol. Woe, sorrow, babbling,

wounds, and much more could be added to the list of woes of those who

tarry at the wine.

Many respectable people have become degraded human begins through

the use of alcohol. Abusing their families, stealing murdering, and

being unfaithful to their marriage vows.

Many young wives and husbands at the marriage altar look forward to

the life of companionship and trust, only to have alcohol shatter the

possibilities of a happy life. Some spouses turn to gambling. The

little children are neglected, left homeless and unloved. Hard-earned

money needed for necessities is wasted. Alas, that first drink was

carelessly and casually taken. Now the one who drank it is captured,

and an alcoholic and a drunkard, wounding himself, bring grief and

pain to dear ones.

The bar is that fateful meeting place for man and alcohol. The bar

bars the door to heaven, for drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom

of God. (Read I Corinthians 6:10). "Be not deceived: God is not mocked

for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).

A BAR

A place where strong drink is sold is

sometimes called a Bar-that's true.

A BAR to heaven, a door to hell;

Whoever named it, named it well.

A BAR to manliness and wealth;

A door to want and broken health.

A BAR to honor, pride, and fame;

A door to grief and sin and shame.

A BAR to home and a BAR to prayer;

A door to darkness and despair.

A BAR to honored, useful life;

A door to brawling, senseless strife,

A BAR to all that's true and brave;

A door to every drunkard's grave.

A BAR to joys that home imparts;

A door to tears and aching hearts.

A BAR to heaven, a door to hell;

Whoever named it, named it well.

"And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink

with the drunken" (Matthew 24:49).

Let us walk honestly, as in the day, not in rioting and drunken-

ness" (Romans 13:13). "Now the works of the flesh are manifest. . .

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such the like: of the

which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that

they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God"

(Galatians 5:19,21).

Should you suddenly find yourself at the door of eternity, where would

you go? Death as a shadow is ever beside us.

Come to Jesus with your sins and evil habits. He shed His blood and

died a cruel death on the cross, giving Himself as a ransom for even

the chiefest of sinners. Repent of your sins, confess them, forsake

them.

You cannot break the chains of this habit without the help of God.

Ask Jesus your Savior to help you. He will if you come to Him with all

your heart. "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John

6:37).

GOSPEL TRACT AND BIBLE SOCIETY

of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite

Moundridge, Kansas 67107 U.S.A.