Chapter 5—Choosing Earthly Treasure
I have been shown the condition of God’s people. They are stupe-
fied by the spirit of the world. They are denying their faith by their
works. I was pointed back to ancient Israel. They had great light and
exalted privileges; yet they did not live up to the light nor appreciate
their advantages, and their light became darkness. They walked in the
light of their own eyes instead of following the leadings of God. The
history of the children of Israel was written for the benefit of those
who live in the last days, that they may avoid following their example
of unbelief.
Brother E, you were shown me enshrouded in darkness. The love of
the world had taken entire control of your being. The very best of your
days are past. Your vitality and power of endurance, as far as physical
labor is concerned, are enfeebled; and now, when you should be able
to look back on a life of noble effort in blessing others and glorifying
God, you can only have regret, and realize a want of happiness and
peace. You are not living a life which will meet the approval of God.
Your spiritual, your eternal interests, are made secondary. Brain, bone,
and muscle have been taxed to the utmost. Why all this expenditure
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of strength? Why this accumulation of cares and burdens for your
family to bear? What is your reward? The satisfaction of laying up for
yourself a treasure upon earth, which Christ has forbidden and which
will prove a snare to your soul.
In Christ’s Sermon on the Mount He says: “Lay not up for your-
selves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves trea-
sures in heaven.” If you lay up treasures in heaven, you do it for
yourself, you are working for your own interest. Your treasure, my
dear brother, is laid up on the earth, and your interest and affections
are on your treasure. You have cultivated a love for money, for houses
and lands, until it has absorbed the powers of your mind and being,
and your love for worldly possessions has been greater than your love
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