Dishonesty in the Church
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into eternity. Just to the extent that man would advantage himself at
the disadvantage of his fellow man will his soul become calloused to
the influence of the Spirit of God. Gain obtained thus is a fearful loss.
There have been men in important places who have not been
guardians of the interests of others. They have been wholly absorbed
in their own interests and have neglected to preserve the reputation of
the church. They have been selfish and avaricious, not moving with an
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eye single to the glory of God. The church as a whole is in a degree
responsible for the wrongs of its individual members because they
countenance the evil in not lifting up their voice against it. The favor
of God is not enjoyed for several reasons. His Spirit is grieved by the
pride, extravagance, dishonesty, and overreaching which are indulged
by some professing godliness. All these things bring the frown of God
upon His people.
The unbelief and sins of ancient Israel were presented before me,
and I saw that similar wrongs and iniquity exist among modern Israel.
The pen of inspiration recorded their crimes for the benefit of those who
live in these last days, that we might shun their evil example. Achan
coveted and secreted a wedge of gold and a goodly Babylonish garment
that were taken as spoil from the enemy. But the Lord had pronounced
the city of Jericho accursed and had commanded the people not to take
of the spoil of their enemies for their own use. “And ye, in anywise
keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves
accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of
Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels
of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into
the treasury of the Lord.”
But Achan, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing, and the
anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel. When the
armies of Israel went out to fight against the enemy, they were repulsed
and driven back, and some of them were slain. This brought great
discouragement upon the people. Joshua, their leader, was perplexed
and confounded. In the greatest humiliation he fell upon his face and
prayed: “Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast Thou at all brought this
people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to
destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other
side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs
before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the