364
Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
a certain sum. In their anxiety to amass wealth for themselves they
fail to become rich toward God. Their benevolence does not keep
pace with their accumulation. As their passion for riches increases,
their affections are bound up with their treasure. The increase of their
property strengthens the eager desire for more, until some consider that
their giving to the Lord a tenth is a severe and unjust tax. Inspiration
has said: “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” Many have
said: “If I were as rich as such a one, I would multiply my gifts to the
treasury of God. I would do nothing else with my wealth but use it for
the advancement of the cause of God.” God has tested some of these
by giving them riches, but with the riches came the fiercer temptation,
and their benevolence was far less than in the days of their poverty. A
grasping desire for greater riches absorbed their minds and hearts, and
they committed idolatry.
He who presents to men infinite riches and an eternal life of
blessedness in His kingdom as the reward of faithful obedience, will
not accept a divided heart. We are living amid the perils of the last
days, where there is everything to divert the mind and allure the af-
fections from God. Our duty will only be discerned and appreciated
when viewed in the light which shines from the life of Christ. As the
sun rises in the east and passes toward the west, filling the world with
light, so the true follower of Christ will be a light unto the world. He
will go out into the world as a bright and shining light, that those who
[404]
are in darkness may be lightened and warmed by the rays shining forth
from him. Christ says of His followers: “Ye are the light of the world.
A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”
Our great Exemplar was self-denying, and shall the course of His
professed followers be in such marked contrast to His? The Saviour
gave all for a perishing world, not withholding even Himself. The
church of God are asleep. They are enfeebled by inaction. Voices
come to us from every part of the world, “Come over and help us;” but
there is no answering movement. There is a feeble effort now and then;
a few show that they would be co-workers with their Master; but such
are frequently left to toil almost alone. There is but one missionary
from our people in all the wide field in foreign countries.
The truth is mighty, but it is not carried into practice. It is not
sufficient to lay money alone upon the altar. God calls for men, volun-
teers, to carry the truth to other nations and tongues and people. It is