Chapter 35—Precious in God’s Sight
Among the professed children of God, there are men and women
who love the world, and the things of the world, and these souls are
being corrupted by worldly influences. The divine is being dropped out
of their nature. As instruments of unrighteousness, they are working
out the purposes of the enemy.
In contrast with this class, stands the honest, industrious poor man,
who is ready to help those who need help, and willing to suffer wrong
rather than manifest the close, acquisitive spirit of the rich. This man
esteems a clear conscience and right principles above the value of
gold. He is ready to do all the good in his power. If some benevolent
enterprise calls for money or for his labor, he is the first to respond,
and often he goes far beyond his real ability, denying himself some
needed good in order to carry out his benevolent purpose.
This man may boast of but little earthly treasure; he may be looked
upon as deficient in judgment and wisdom; his influence may not be
esteemed of special worth; but in the sight of God he is precious. He
may be thought to have little perception, but he manifests a wisdom
that is as far above that of the calculating, acquisitive mind as the divine
is above the human; for is he not laying up for himself a treasure in
the heavens, uncorrupted, undefiled, and that fadeth not away?—
The
Review and Herald, December 19, 1899
.
As Fragrant Incense
Experience shows that a spirit of benevolence is more frequently
found among those of limited means than among the more wealthy.
[178]
Many who greatly desire riches would be ruined by their possession.
When such persons are entrusted with talents of means, they too often
hoard or waste the Lord’s money, until the Master says to them indi-
vidually, “Thou shalt be no longer steward.” They dishonestly use that
which is another’s as though it were their own. God will not entrust
them with eternal riches....
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