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Love of Gain
549
wise generalship to commence a warfare against the power of Satan
and ingloriously leave the field at the height of the conflict, thus
giving the enemy opportunity to bind more securely those who were
upon the point of leaving his ranks and taking their position on the
side of Christ. That interest, once broken, can never again be raised.
A few may be reached, but the greater portion can never be affected
and their hearts softened by the presentation of the truth.
Elder C lost his influence and the power of the truth by engaging
in speculations, and that out of his brethren. This was peculiarly
offensive to God in a minister of Christ. But you have done the
same. You have made Elder C’s course an excuse for your love
of traffic. You have justified your course of advantaging yourself,
because other ministers have pursued this course. Other ministers
are no criterion for you. If they injure their influence, and deprive
themselves of the approbation of God and the confidence of their
brethren, their course should be shunned. Christ is your example,
and you have no excuse for taking the course of erring men for
example unless their lives are in accordance with the life of Christ.
Your influence will be death to the cause of God if you continue to
pursue the course that you have pursued for a few years past. Your
trafficking and trading, and gathering up from your brethren means
that you have not earned, is a great sin in the sight of God.
Some have really deprived themselves of means necessary for
the comfort of their families, and some of even the necessaries of life,
to help you, and you have received it. Paul writes to his Philippian
brethren: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the
things of others.” He also writes to his Corinthian brethren: “Let
no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.” Again, he
mournfully says: “For all seek their own, not the things which are
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Jesus Christ’s.”
The spirit which you cherish, of looking out for your selfish
interest, is increasing upon you, and your conversation has been
with covetousness. Paul admonishes his Hebrew brethren: “Let your
conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee.” You are sacrificing your reputation and your influence
to an avaricious spirit. God’s precious cause is reproached because