Chapter 61—Principles of Family Finance
Money May Be a Blessing or a Curse—Money is not necessarily
a curse; it is of high value because if rightly appropriated, it can do
good in the salvation of souls, in blessing others who are poorer than
ourselves. By an improvident or unwise use, ... money will become a
snare to the user. He who employs money to gratify pride and ambition
makes it a curse rather than a blessing. Money is a constant test of the
affections. Whoever acquires more than sufficient for his real needs
should seek wisdom and grace to know his own heart and to keep his
heart diligently, lest he have imaginary wants and become an unfaithful
steward, using with prodigality his Lord’s entrusted capital.
When we love God supremely, temporal things will occupy their
right place in our affections. If we humbly and earnestly seek for
knowledge and ability in order to make a right use of our Lord’s goods,
we shall receive wisdom from above. When the heart leans to its
own preferences and inclinations, when the thought is cherished that
money can confer happiness without the favor of God, then the money
becomes a tyrant, ruling the man; it receives his confidence and esteem
and is worshiped as a god. Honor, truth, righteousness, and justice
are sacrificed upon its altar. The commands of God’s word are set
aside, and the world’s customs and usages, which King Mammon has
ordained, become a controlling power
Seek Security in Home Ownership—If the laws given by God
had continued to be carried out, how different would be the present
condition of the world, morally, spiritually, and temporally. Selfishness
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and self-importance would not be manifested as now, but each would
cherish a kind regard for the happiness and welfare of others.... Instead
of the poorer classes being kept under the iron heel of oppression by
the wealthy, instead of having other men’s brains to think and plan for
them in temporal as well as in spiritual things, they would have some
chance for independence of thought and action.
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Letter 8, 1889
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