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Selected Messages Book 2
If someone proposes something that is not in accordance with self-
sacrificing principles on which our work is based, let us remember that
one stroke of God’s hand can sweep away all seeming benefit because
it was not to His name’s glory.—
Manuscript 12, 1913
.
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Meeting an Emergency
If, when cramped for means, you let your competent workers go,
to set up business for themselves, you will in a short time wish you
had them back. The question of finance can be managed nicely, if
all the workers will be willing when there is a pressure for means, to
accept less wages. This was the principle the Lord revealed to me to
be brought into our publishing institutions. There will be plenty to do,
and your work will need these very men. Should we not all be willing
to restrict our wants at a time when money is so scarce?
My husband and I worked on this principle. We said, “The publish-
ing house is the Lord’s institution, and we will economize, reducing
our expenses as far as possible.” The Lord requires self-sacrifice of
all His servants to advance His work and make it a success. Let every
worker now do his best to sustain and guard our publishing institution
in-----. Do you not think that the Lord will be pleased to see this spirit
control in all our institutions? We are to bring principle into the work.
Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross daily, and follow me” (
Luke 9:23
). Are we ready to
follow Christ?—
Letter 25, 1896
.
Our institutions are to be entirely under the supervision of God.
They were established in sacrifice, and only in sacrifice can their work
be successfully carried forward.—
Letter 129, 1903
.
Human wisdom will lead away from self-denial, from consecration,
and will devise many things that tend to make of no effect God’s
messages.—
The Review and Herald, December 13, 1892
.
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