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has succeeded. They have given up the love of God for the love of the
world.
I saw that those who are thus prospered can thwart the design of
Satan if they will overcome their selfish covetousness by laying all
their possessions upon the altar of God. And when they see where
means are needed to advance the cause of truth and to help the widow,
the fatherless, and afflicted, they should give cheerfully and thus lay
up treasure in heaven.
Heed the counsel of the True Witness. Buy gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich, white raiment that thou mayest be clothed,
and eyesalve that thou mayest see. Make some effort. These precious
treasures will not drop upon us without some exertion on our part. We
must buy—“be zealous and repent” of our lukewarm state. We must
be awake to see our wrongs, to search for our sins, and to zealously
repent of them.
I saw that the brethren who have possessions have a work to do to
tear away from these earthly treasures and to overcome their love of
the world. Many of them love this world, love their treasure, but are
not willing to see it. They must be zealous and repent of their selfish
covetousness, that the love of the truth may swallow up everything
else. I saw that many of those who have riches will fail to buy the gold,
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white raiment, and eyesalve. Their zeal does not possess intensity and
earnestness proportionate to the value of the object of which they are
in pursuit.
I saw these men while striving for the possessions of earth; what
zeal they manifested, what earnestness, what energy to obtain an
earthly treasure that must soon pass away! What cool calculations
they made! They plan and toil early and late, and sacrifice their ease
and comfort for earthly treasure. A corresponding zeal on their part
to obtain the gold, white raiment, and eyesalve will bring them in
possession of these desirable treasures and life, everlasting life, in the
kingdom of God. I saw that if any need eyesalve, it is those who have
earthly possessions. Many of them are blind to their own state, blind
to their firm grasp upon this world. Oh, that they may see!
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice,
and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and
he with Me.” I saw that many have so much rubbish piled up at the
door of their heart that they cannot get the door open. Some have