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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
In order to advance the cause of God, means are necessary. God
has provided for this necessity by placing an abundance in the hands
of His agents to use in any department of the work where it may be
required in the labor of saving souls. Every soul saved is a talent
gained. If truly converted, the one brought to a knowledge of the
truth will, in his turn, use the talents of influence and of means which
God has given him, in working for the salvation of his fellow men.
He will engage with earnestness in the great work of enlightening
those who are in darkness and error. He will be instrumental in
saving souls. Thus the talents of influence and means are continually
exchanging and constantly increasing. When the Master comes, the
faithful servant is prepared to return Him both principal and interest.
By his fruits he can show the increase of talents that he has gained
to return to the Master. The faithful servant will then have done his
work, and the Master, whose reward is with Him to give every man
according as his work shall be, will return to that faithful servant
both principal and interest.
In His word the Lord has plainly revealed His will to those
who have riches. But because His direct commands have been
slighted, He mercifully presents their dangers before them through
the
Testimonies
. He does not give new light, but calls their attention
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to the light that has already been revealed in His word. If those who
profess to love the truth are holding on to their riches and, failing to
obey the word of God, do not seek opportunities to do good with that
which He has entrusted to them, He will come closer and will scatter
their means. He will come near to them with judgments. He will in
various ways scatter their idols. Many losses will be sustained. The
souls of the selfish shall be unblest. But “the liberal soul shall be
made fat.” Those who honor God, He will honor.
The Lord made a covenant with Israel that, if they would obey
His commandments, He would give them rain in due season, the
land should yield her increase, and the trees of the field should yield
their fruit. He promised that their threshing should reach unto the
vintage and the vintage unto the sowingtime, and that they should
eat their bread to the full and dwell in their land safely. He would
make their enemies to perish. He would not abhor them, but would
walk with them and would be their God, and they should be His
people. But if they disregarded His requirements, He would deal