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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
all manifested thorough earnestness, there would be no lack of funds
for home or foreign missions. Our resources would be multiplied;
a thousand doors of usefulness would be opened, and we should be
invited to enter. Had the purpose of God been carried out by His
people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere
this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their
welcome into the city of God.
If there was ever a time when sacrifices should be made, it is now.
Those who have money should understand that now is the time to use
it for God. Let not means be absorbed in multiplying facilities where
the work is already established. Do not add building to building where
many interests are now centered. Use the means to establish centers
in new fields. Thus you may bring in souls who will act their part in
producing.
Think of our missions in foreign countries. Some of them are
struggling to gain even a foothold; they are destitute of even the most
meager facilities. Instead of adding to facilities already abundant,
build up the work in these destitute fields. Again and again the Lord
has spoken in regard to this. His blessing cannot attend His people in
disregarding His instruction.
Practice economy in your homes. By many, idols are cherished
and worshiped. Put away your idols. Give up your selfish pleasures.
Do not, I entreat you, absorb means in embellishing your houses, for
it is God’s money, and it will be required of you again. Parents, for
Christ’s sake do not use the Lord’s money in pleasing the fancies of
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your children. Do not teach them to seek after style and ostentation
in order to gain influence in the world. Will this incline them to save
the souls for whom Christ died? No; it will create envy, jealousy, and
evil surmising. Your children will be led to compete with the show
and extravagance of the world, and to spend the Lord’s money for that
which is not essential to health or happiness.
Do not educate your children to think that your love for them
must be expressed by indulgence of their pride, extravagance, and
love of display. There is no time now to invent ways for using up
money. Use your inventive faculties in seeking to economize. Instead
of gratifying selfish inclination, spending money for those things that
destroy the reasoning faculties, study how to deny self, that you may
have something to invest in lifting the standard of truth in new fields.