Temptation to Speculate
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He expects every man who opens the Scriptures to others, to work
carefully and intelligently, not exercising his powers unwisely, in a
way to injure or overtask them, but so that he may be fitted to do good
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work for the Lord.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:530, 531
.
Speculating in Land Near Our Institutions
I was instructed to bear a testimony to our brethren, telling them
that they must guard themselves against unfair speculation in connec-
tion with the purchase and sale of land near the school property. Every
transaction in buying and selling must be characterized by strictest
integrity. Selfishness must not be indulged. The principles for which
our school shall stand, and which are to be taught the students as part
of their education, are to be cultivated and revealed by those who
closely connect themselves with the school interest. They must not,
by efforts for personal gain, counterwork the principles of Christian
education for which this school is to be established.
Day by day we are making our record for time and for eternity. Let
every action be just and square, in selling as in buying. Let nothing
of an overreaching character be brought in, for that would discourage
our brethren and displease God. Large sacrifices have been made by
the people in our churches in order that this property might be secured
for our school. Let not those who secure advantages for themselves
take unfair advantage of their brethren who may need to settle near the
school. Some who have the spirit of speculation should be discouraged
from coming to—, because they would not be a blessing to the school,
but a hindrance.
Let us remember that we are standing in review before God, and
that every unfair action to serve self is recorded against us in the
books of heaven. O, I entreat our brethren to put away the spirit
of commercialism. I pray that none may gather about the school
whose chief purpose is to advantage self. Let all seek to excel in
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spiritual things, that the ambitious spirit may be changed to a spirit
of unselfishness. This change must be wrought in us if we would be
wholly approved of God.—
Letter 72, 1909
.