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Counsels for the Church
should cut loose from every encumbrance before the time of trouble
comes, and make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have
their property on the altar and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He
will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free
in the time of trouble and have no clogs to weigh them down
The Spirit of Self-denial and Sacrifice
The plan of salvation was laid by the infinite sacrifice of the Son of
God. The light of the gospel shining from the cross of Christ rebukes
selfishness and encourages liberality and benevolence. It is not to be
a lamented fact that there are increasing calls to give. God in His
providence is calling His people out from their limited sphere of action
to enter upon greater enterprises. Unlimited effort is demanded at this
time when moral darkness is covering the world. Worldliness and
covetousness are eating out the vitals of God’s people. They should
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understand that it is His mercy which multiplies the demands for their
means. The angel of God places benevolent acts close beside prayer.
He said to Cornelius: “Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial before God.”
Acts 10:4
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
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
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Early Writings, 56, 57
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Testimonies for the Church 3:405