Stewardship While Living
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negligent in securing to the cause of God the means that he has lent
them, Satan comes in and turns that means into his own ranks.
Brother L should move more cautiously. Men who are not of our
faith obtain means of him upon various pretenses. He trusts them,
believing them to be honest. It will be impossible for him to get back
all the means he has let slip out of his hands into the enemy’s ranks.
He could make a safe investment of his means by aiding the cause of
God, and thus laying up for himself treasures in heaven. Frequently he
is unable to help when he would, because he is crippled, and cannot
command the means to do so. When the Lord calls for his means, it is
frequently in the hands of those to whom he has lent it, some of whom
never design to pay, and others feel no anxiety in the matter.
Satan will accomplish his purpose as thoroughly through dishonest
borrowers as in any other way. All that the adversary of truth and
righteousness is working for, is to prevent the advancement of our Re-
deemer’s kingdom. He works through agents to carry out his purposes.
If he can prevent means from going into the treasury of God, he is
successful in one branch of his work. That means which should have
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been used to aid in the great plan of saving souls, he has retained in
his ranks, to aid him in his work.
Brother L should have his business all straight, and not left at loose
ends. It is his privilege to be rich in good works, and to lay up for
himself a good foundation against the time to come, that he may lay
hold on eternal life. It is not safe for him to follow his failing judgment.
He should counsel with experienced brethren, and seek wisdom of
God, that he may do up his work well. He should now be really in
earnest, providing himself “bags which wax not old, a treasure in the
heavens that faileth not.”—
Testimonies for the Church 2:675, 676
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Help Needed Now
Many who are able to give liberally when the cause is in need,
selfishly retain their means, and soothe their conscience with a plan
for doing some great thing for the cause of God after their death. They
make a will, giving a large sum to the church and its various interests,
and then settle down with a feeling that they have done all that is
required of them. Wherein have they denied self by this act? They
have, on the contrary, revealed selfishness. When they have no further