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some. With them this cuts off the right arm, and plucks out the right
eye, while to others it is a great relief. To noble, generous souls the
demands upon them seem very small, and they cannot be content to do
so little. Some have large possessions, and if they lay by them in store
for charitable purposes as God has prospered them, the offering seems
to them like a large sum. The selfish heart clings as closely to a small
offering as to a larger one, and makes a small sum look very large.
I was pointed back to the commencement of this last work. Then
some who loved the truth could consistently talk of sacrificing. They
devoted much to the cause of God, to send the truth to others. They
have sent their treasure beforehand to heaven. Brethren, you who have
received the truth at a later period, and who have large possessions,
God has called you into the field, not merely that you may enjoy the
truth, but that you may aid with your substance in carrying forward
this great work. And if you have an interest in this work, you will
venture out and invest something in it, that others may be saved by
your efforts, and you reap with them the final reward. Great sacrifices
have been made and privations endured to place the truth in a clear
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light before you. Now God calls upon you, in your turn, to make great
efforts and to sacrifice in order to place the truth before those who
are in darkness. God requires this. You profess to believe the truth;
let your works testify to the fact. Unless your faith works, it is dead.
Nothing but a living faith will save you in the fearful scenes which are
just before you.
I saw that it is time for those who have large possessions to begin
to work fast. It is time that they were not only laying by them in store
as God is now prospering them, but as He has prospered them. In
the days of the apostles, plans were especially laid that some should
not be eased and others burdened. Arrangements were made that all
should share equally in the burdens of the church of God according to
their several abilities. Said the angel: “The ax must be laid at the root
of the tree.” Those who, like Judas, have set their hearts upon earthly
treasure will complain as he did. His heart coveted the costly ointment
poured upon Jesus, and he sought to hide his selfishness under a pious,
conscientious regard for the poor: “Why was not this ointment sold for
three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” He wished that he had
the ointment in his possession; it would not thus be lavished upon the
Saviour. He would apply it to his own use; sell it for money. He prized