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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
I was shown that Brother X’s course in dividing his property among
his children was shifting the responsibility upon them which he should
not have laid off. He now sees that the result of this course has brought
to him no increase of affection from his children. They have not
felt under obligation to their parents for what they have done for
them. These children were young and inexperienced. They were
not qualified to bear the responsibility laid upon them. Their hearts
were unconsecrated, and true friends were looked upon by them as
designing enemies, while those who would separate very friends were
accepted. These agents of Satan were continually suggesting false
ideas to the minds of these young men, and the hearts of brothers and
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sisters, father and mother, were at variance.
Father X made a mistake. Had he confided more in his daughters’
husbands, who loved the truth in sincerity, and had he been more
willing to be helped by the advice of these men of experience, great
mistakes might have been prevented. But this is the way the enemy
generally succeeds in managing matters in regard to the appropriation
of means.
These cases mentioned were designed of God to be developed that
all might see the effect of the deceitfulness of riches upon the heart.
The result in these cases, which is apparent to all, should prove a
warning to fathers and mothers and to ambitious children. The word
of God defines covetousness as idolatry. It is impossible for men and
women to keep the law of God and love money. The heart’s affections
should be placed upon heavenly things. Our treasure should be laid up
in heaven, for where our treasure is, there will our heart be also.
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