Provision for the Future
303
Remember God’s Cause While Living—Let no one think that he
will meet the mind of Christ in hoarding up property through life and
then at death making a bequest of a portion of it to some benevolent
cause
Some selfishly retain their means during their lifetime, trusting to
make up for their neglect by remembering the cause in their wills. But
not half the means thus bestowed in legacies ever benefits the object
specified. Brethren and sisters, invest in the bank of heaven yourselves,
and do not leave your stewardship upon another
Stewardship Transferred to Children Is Often Unwise—
Parents should have great fear in entrusting children with the talents
of means that God has placed in their hands, unless they have the
surest evidence that their children have greater interest in, love for,
and devotion to the cause of God than they themselves possess, and
[398]
that these children will be more earnest and zealous in forwarding
the work of God and more benevolent in carrying forward the various
enterprises connected with in which call for means. But many place
their means in the hands of their children, thus throwing upon them the
responsibility of their own stewardship because Satan prompts them
to do it. In so doing they effectually place that means in the enemy’s
ranks. Satan works the matter to suit his own purpose and keeps from
the cause of God the means which it needs, that it may be abundantly
sustained
The Curse of Hoarded Wealth—Those who acquire wealth for
the purpose of hoarding it leave the curse of wealth to their children.
It is a sin, an awful, soul-periling sin for fathers and mothers to do
this, and this sin extends to their posterity. Often the children spend
their means in foolish extravagance, in riotous living, so that they
become beggars. They know not the value of the inheritance they have
squandered. Had their fathers and mothers set them a proper example,
not in hoarding but in imparting their wealth, they would have laid up
for themselves treasure in heaven and received a return even in this
world of peace and happiness and in the future life eternal riches
[399]
[400]
7
The Review and Herald, February 27, 1894
.
8
The Review and Herald, October 12, 1886
.
9
Testimonies For The Church 2, 655
.
10
Letter 20, 1897
.