To Wealthy Parents
111
children, or by withholding from God’s cause and suffering it to pass
into the hands of unbelieving, reckless children for them to squander
or hoard up and worship, will have to render an account to God; they
are unfaithful stewards of their Lord’s money. They allow Satan to
outgeneral them through these children, whose minds are under his
control. Satan’s purposes are accomplished in many ways, while the
stewards of God seem stupefied and paralyzed; they do not realize
their great responsibility and the reckoning which must shortly come.”
I was shown that the probation of some in the vicinity of-----was
soon to close, and that it was important that their work be finished to
God’s acceptance, that in the final settlement they might hear the “Well
done” from the Master. I was also shown the inconsistency of those
who profess to believe the truth withholding their means from the
cause of God, that they may leave it for their children. Many fathers
and mothers are poor in the midst of abundance. They abridge, in a
degree, their own personal comforts and frequently deny themselves
of those things that are necessary for the enjoyment of life and health,
while they have ample means at their command. They feel forbidden,
as it were, to appropriate their means for their own comfort or for
charitable purposes. They have one object before them, and that is to
save property to leave for their children. This idea is so prominent,
so interwoven with all their actions, that their children learn to look
forward to the time when this property will be theirs. They depend
upon it, and this prospect has an important but not a favorable influence
upon their characters. Some become spendthrifts, others become
selfish and avaricious, and still others grow indolent and reckless.
Many do not cultivate habits of economy; they do not seek to become
self-reliant. They are aimless, and have but little stability of character.
The impressions received in childhood and youth are wrought in the
texture of character and become the principle of action in mature life.
[120]
Those who have become acquainted with the principles of the truth
should closely follow the word of God as their guide. They should
render to God the things that are God’s. I was shown that several in
Vermont were making a great mistake in regard to appropriating the
means that God had entrusted to their keeping. They were overlooking
the claims of God upon all that they have. Their eyes were blinded
by the enemy of righteousness, and they were taking a course which
would result disastrously for themselves and their dear children.