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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
The business world does not lie outside the limits of God’s gov-
ernment. Christianity is not to be merely paraded on the Sabbath and
displayed in the sanctuary; it is for every day in the week and for every
place. Its claims must be recognized and obeyed in the workshop, at
home, and in business transactions with brethren and with the world.
With many, an absorbing worldliness eclipses the true sense of Chris-
tian obligation. The religion of Christ will have such an influence
upon the heart that it will control the life. Men possessing the genuine
article of true religion will in all their business transactions show as
clear a perception of right as when offering their supplications at the
throne of grace. The life, with all its capabilities, belongs to God, and
should be used to promote His glory, instead of being perverted to the
service of Satan in defrauding our fellow men.
Satan has been the adviser of some. He tells them that if they
would prosper they must hearken to his counsel: “Do not be overcon-
scientious in regard to honor or honesty; look out sharply for your own
interest, and do not be carried away with pity, softness, and generosity.
You need not care for the widow and the fatherless. Do not encourage
them to look to you and depend on you; leave them to look out for
themselves. Do not inquire whether they have food, or if you can bless
them with thoughtful, kindly attention. Take care of yourself. Get all
into your hands that you can. Rob the widow and the fatherless, and
turn away the stranger from his right, and you will have means to sup-
ply your various wants.” Some have heeded this counsel and despised
Him who has said: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the
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Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and
to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
Satan offers to men the kingdoms of the world if they will yield to
him the supremacy. Many do this and sacrifice heaven. It is better to
die than to sin; better to want than to defraud; better to hunger than to
lie. Let all who are tempted meet Satan with these words: “Blessed
is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways. For thou
shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall
be well with thee.” Here is a condition and a promise which will be
unmistakably realized. Happiness and prosperity will be the result of
serving the Lord.
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