Chapter 46—The Temptation to Speculate
Satan has destroyed many souls by leading them to place them-
selves in the way of temptation. He comes to them as he came to
Christ, tempting them to love the world. He tells them that they may
invest with profit in this or that enterprise, and in good faith they follow
his dictation.
Soon they are tempted to swerve from their integrity in order to
make as good bargains for themselves as possible. Their course may
be perfectly lawful, according to the world’s standard of right, and
yet not bear the test of the law of God. Their motives are called in
question by their brethren, and they are suspected of overreaching to
serve themselves, and thus is sacrificed that precious influence which
should have been sacredly guarded for the benefit of the cause of God.
The business which might be a financial success in the hands of a
sharper who will sell his integrity for worldly gain, would be entirely
inappropriate for a follower of Christ.
All such speculations are attended with unseen trials and diffi-
culties, and are a fearful ordeal for those who engage in them. Cir-
cumstances often occur which naturally cause reflections to be cast
upon the motives of these brethren; but although some things may
look decidedly wrong, these should not always be considered a true
test of character. Yet they often prove to be the turning point in one’s
experience and destiny. The character becomes transformed by the
force of circumstances under which the individual has placed himself.
[237]
A Dangerous Experiment
I was shown that it is a dangerous experiment for our people to
engage in speculation. They thereby place themselves on the en-
emy’s ground, subject to great temptations, disappointments, trials,
and losses. Then comes a feverish unrest, a longing desire to obtain
means more rapidly than present circumstances will admit. Their sur-
roundings are accordingly changed, in hope of making more money.
But frequently their expectations are not realized, and they become
202