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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
offense unto them. Then all opportunities will be past for using their
substance to the glory of God, and in anguish of spirit they will cast
it from them to the moles and to the bats. Their gold and their silver
cannot save them in that day. It falls upon them with crushing weight,
that an account must be given of their stewardship, what use they have
made of their Lord’s money. Self-love made them believe that it was
all their own, and that they might want it all; but they then feel, bitterly
feel and understand, that their means was only lent them of God, to
be freely returned by being used to advance His cause. Their riches
deceived them. They felt poor and lived for themselves, and at last
they will find that the portion they might have used for God’s cause is
a terrible burden.
Said the angel of God: “Lay all upon the altar, a living, consuming
sacrifice. Bind it with cords, if you cannot keep it there. Give your-
selves to prayer. Live at the altar. Strengthen your purposes by the
promises of God.” “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide your-
selves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth
not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.” “Lay not up
for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt,
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and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven.”
I saw that if God had given you wealth above the plainest and
poorest, it should humble you, for it lays you under greater obligations.
Where much is given, even of a worldly substance, much will be
required. Upon this principle you are bound to possess noble, generous
dispositions. Seek for opportunities to do good with what you have.
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
I saw that the least that has been required of Christians in past
days, is to possess a spirit of liberality, and to consecrate to the Lord a
portion of all their increase. Every true Christian has considered this a
privilege, but some who have borne the name only, have considered it
a task; the grace and love of God had never wrought in them the good
work, or they would gladly have advanced the cause of their Redeemer.
But Christians who are living in the last days, and who are waiting for
their Lord, are required to do even more than this. God requires them
to sacrifice.