444
Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition.” They worship their
earthly treasure, as the ignorant heathen does his idols.
Many flatter themselves that their desire for gain is that they may
help the cause of God. Some promise that when they have gained such
an amount, then they will do good with it and advance the cause of
present truth. But when they have realized their expectations, they
are no more ready to help the cause than before. They again pledge
themselves that after they purchase that desirable house or piece of
land, and pay for it, then they will do a great deal with their means to
advance the work of God. But as the desire of their heart is attained,
they have far less disposition than in the days of their poverty to aid
in the advancement of the work of God. “He also that received seed
among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world,
[478]
and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh
unfruitful.” The deceitfulness of riches leads them on, step by step,
until they lose all love for the truth, and yet they flatter themselves that
they believe it. They love the world and the things of the world, but
the love of God or of the truth is not in them.
In order to gain a little money, many deliberately arrange their
business matters so that it necessarily brings a great amount of hard
work upon those laboring out of doors, and upon their families in the
house. The bone, muscle, and brain of all are taxed to the utmost; a
great amount of work is before them to be done, and the excuse is,
they must accomplish just all that they possibly can or there will be
a loss, something will be wasted. Everything must be saved, let the
result be what it may. What have such gained? Perhaps they have
been able to keep the principal good and add to it. But, on the other
hand, what have they lost? Their capital of health, which is invaluable
to the poor as well as the rich, has been steadily diminishing. The
mother and the children have made repeated drafts upon their fund
of health and strength, thinking that such an extravagant expenditure
would never exhaust their capital, until they are surprised at last to find
their vigor of life exhausted. They have nothing left to draw upon in
case of emergency. The sweetness and happiness of life is embittered
by racking pains and sleepless nights. Both physical and mental vigor
are gone. The husband and father, who, for the sake of gain, made the
unwise arrangement of his business, it may be with the full sanction