322
Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
bonds. This faithful attendant wrote the dying charge of Paul, a small
portion of which we here quote:
“They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while
some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced them-
selves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these
things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where-
unto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before
many witnesses.” “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be
not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,
who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they
be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time
to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” “And the things that
thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou
to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore
endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth
entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him
[353]
who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for mas-
teries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” A man may be
avaricious, and yet excuse himself by saying that he is working for the
cause of God; but he obtains no reward, for God does not want money
that is obtained by overreaching or by any semblance of dishonesty.
Paul further urges Timothy: Do thy diligence to come shortly unto
me: for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,
and is departed unto Thessalonica.” These words, dictated by Paul just
prior to his death, were written by Luke [
The substitution of the name
of Mark for that of Luke in the first edition was an error of the printer,
and not of the manuscript. A few similar errors have been discovered
and corrected in this revision.
] for our profit and warning.
Christ, in teaching His disciples, said: “I am the True Vine, and
My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not
fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth
it [pruneth it], that it may bring forth more fruit.” He who is united to
Christ, partaking of the sap and nourishment of the Vine, will work
the works of Christ. The love of Christ must be in him or he cannot be