Chapter 65—Provision for the Future
Home Ownership and Savings Versus Spendthrift Habits—
Brother and Sister B have not learned the lesson of economy.... They
would use all as they pass along, were it ever so much. They would
enjoy as they go and then, when affliction draws upon them, would
be wholly unprepared.... Had Brother and Sister B been economical
managers, denying themselves, they could ere this have had a home
of their own and besides this have had means to draw upon in case
of adversity. But they will not economize as others have done, upon
whom they have sometimes been dependent. If they neglect to learn
these lessons, their characters will not be found perfect in the day of
God
This Counsel May Help You—You have been in a business which
would at times yield you large profits at once. After you have earned
means, you have not studied to economize in reference to a time when
means could not be earned so easily, but have expended much for
imaginary wants. Had you and your wife understood it to be a duty
that God enjoined upon you to deny your taste and your desires and
make provision for the future instead of living merely for the present,
you could now have had a competency and your family have had the
comforts of life. You have a lesson to learn.... It is to make a little go
the longest way
To a Family That Should Save Systematically—You might to-
day have had a capital of means to use in case of emergency and to aid
the cause of God, if you had economized as you should. Every week
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a portion of your wages should be reserved and in no case touched
unless suffering actual want, or to render back to the Giver in offerings
to God....
The means you have earned has not been wisely and economically
expended so as to leave a margin should you be sick and your family
deprived of the means you bring to sustain them. Your family should
1
Testimonies For The Church 3, 30, 31
.
2
Testimonies For The Church 2, 432, 433
.
301