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The Retirement Years
In the parable we are shown that every one has received something
from the Master. Each is to do his part in supplying the needs that
occur in advancing the truth. Property is a talent. The Lord sends His
message: “Sell that ye have, and give alms.” All that we have is the
Lord’s, without any question. “The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,”
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saith the Lord of hosts. Why should we not, when pressed financially,
present our great need to whose whom God has signified hold His
money in trust, to be used in advancing the work of saving souls ready
to perish? We do not want you to sow sparingly, because then you
will reap sparingly. We want you, my brother, to lay up treasure in
heaven. They that sow bountifully shall reap also bountifully. The
reaping will be proportionate to the sowing. Read the ninth chapter of
Second Corinthians.
Soon Christ will reward every man according to his works. Soon
your money will pass out of your hands for another to handle. It will
then not be the test of your stewardship. Now it is yours, by which
the Lord desires to try you. While you are alive, be your own almoner
and receive the blessings that will come to you in a faithful discharge
of duty. Give back to God that which is His own. This is God’s way.
He always lends His talents to His stewards, to be used to spread the
knowledge of the truth. This work cannot be done without the funds
that are in the hands of God’s servants.
We now invite you to dispose of your property. This the Lord calls
upon you to do. We have to build meetinghouses and hospitals for our
sick. We want means to advance the work of God in this new world.
Be liberal, that God may advance His cause.—
Letter 53, 1899
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God Will Teach Us Our Duty
There are poor men and women who are writing to me for advice
as to whether they shall sell their homes, and give the proceeds to the
cause. They say the appeals for means stir their souls, and they want
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to do something for the Master who has done everything for them. I
would say to such, “It may not be your duty to sell your little homes
just now; but go to God for yourselves; the Lord will certainly hear
your earnest prayers for wisdom to understand your duty.” If there
was more seeking God for heavenly wisdom, and less seeking wisdom