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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
Children were influencing their parents to leave their property in
their hands for them to appropriate according to their judgment. With
the light of God’s word, so plain and clear in reference to the money
lent to stewards, and with the warnings and reproofs which God has
given through the Testimonies in regard to the disposition of means—
if, with all this light before them, children either directly or indirectly
influence their parents to divide their property while living, or to will it
mainly to the children to come into their hands after the death of their
parents, they take upon themselves fearful responsibilities. Children
of aged parents who profess to believe the truth should, in the fear
of God, advise and entreat their parents to be true to their profession
of faith, and take a course in regard to their means which God can
approve. Parents should lay up for themselves treasures in heaven
by appropriating their means themselves to the advancement of the
cause of God. They should not rob themselves of heavenly treasure by
leaving a surplus of means to those who have enough; for by so doing
they not only deprive themselves of the precious privilege of laying up
a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, but they rob the treasury of
God.
I stated at the camp meeting that when property is willed principally
to children, while none is appropriated to the cause of God, or, if any,
a meager pittance unworthy to be mentioned, this property would
frequently prove a curse to the children who inherit it. It would be a
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source of temptation and would open a door through which they would
be in danger of falling into many dangerous and hurtful lusts.
Parents should exercise the right that God has given them. He
entrusted to them the talents He would have them use to His glory. The
children were not to become responsible for the talents of the father.
While they have sound minds and good judgment, parents should, with
prayerful consideration, and with the help of proper counselors who
have experience in the truth and a knowledge of the divine will, make
disposition of their property. If they have children who are afflicted or
are struggling in poverty, and who will make a judicious use of means,
they should be considered. But if they have unbelieving children who
have abundance of this world, and who are serving the world, they
commit a sin against the Master, who has made them His stewards, by
placing means in their hands merely because they are their children.
God’s claims are not to be lightly regarded.