Wesley on the Decline of Christians

"I fear, wherever riches have increased, the essence of religion has decreased in the same proportion. Therefore I do not see how it is possible, in the nature of things, for any renewal of true religion to continue long. For religion must necessarily produce both industry and frugality, and these cannot but produce riches. But as riches increase, so will pride, anger and the love of the world in all its branches. How then is it possible that Methodism, that is, a religion of the heart, though it flourishes now as a green bay tree, should continue in this state? For the Methodists in every place grow diligent and frugal; consequently they increase in goods. Hence they proportionately increase in pride, in anger, in the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life. So, although the form of religion remains, the spirit as swiftly vanishes away. Is there no way to prevent this — the continual decay of pure religion? We ought not to prevent people from being diligent and frugal; we must exhort all Christians to gain all they can, and save all they can: that is, in effect, to grow rich."

       --John Wesley

Seems pretty air-tight, doesn't it?  Work diligently, save, wealth piles up and then pride and materialism set in...no way out of the cycle, right?  Wrong.

John was an amazing Christian leader -- I would categorize him as an apostle -- but he, and apparently most of the present day leaders in the Church, skipped (and are skipping) the most crucial stage after diligent worship (i.e. work or service) and saving.  And that stage that he should have been exhorting is GIVING it away.  Therein lies the remedy to diminishing godliness in the Bride of Messiah.

To pierce the heart of mammon as it crouches preparing to devour the People of Christ, we must strike deftly and boldly at this idol of Satan and bring it down by letting go of our worldly possessions and thereby shedding worldliness bit by bit.  And the best way to do that as we grow in wealth is to GIVE IT AWAY.  This step is THE remedy to preventing the continual decay of pure religion.

The best way I can think of stating it is:  Generosity is treasure being saved-up in God's storehouse, and a necessary axe in a disciple's hand as he hacks away on the Gate of Hell along with all Christ's Elect.