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Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White
they, and thus manage to increase their riches, they will not hesitate a
moment to oppress them, and even see them brought to beggary.
The men whose heads were white with age, and whose faces were
furrowed with care, yet who were eagerly grasping the treasures within
the crown, were the aged, who had but a few years before them. Yet
they were eager to secure their earthly treasures. The nearer they came
to the grave, the more anxious they were to cling to them.
Their own relatives were not benefited. The members of their
own families were permitted to labor beyond their strength to save a
little money. They did not use it for others’ good, or for their own.
It was enough for them to know that they had it. When their duty to
relieve the wants of the poor, and to sustain God’s cause, is presented
before them, they are sorrowful. They would gladly accept the gift of
everlasting life, but are not willing that it should cost them anything.
The conditions are too hard. But Abraham would not withhold his only
son. In obedience to God he could sacrifice this child of promise more
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easily than many would sacrifice some of their earthly possessions.
It was painful to see those who should have been ripening for
glory, and daily fitting for immortality, exerting all their strength to
keep their earthly treasures. Such, I saw, could not value the heavenly
treasure. Their strong affections for the earthly, cause them to show by
their works that they do not esteem the heavenly inheritance enough
to make any sacrifice for it.
The “young man” manifested a willingness to keep the command-
ments, yet our Lord told him that he lacked one thing. He desired
eternal life, but loved his possessions more. Many are self-deceived.
They have not sought for truth as for hid treasures. Their powers are
not put to the best account. Their minds, which might be illuminated
with Heaven’s light, are perplexed and troubled. “The cares of this
world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things
entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” “Such,” said
the angel, “are without excuse.” I saw the light waning away from
them. They did not desire to understand the solemn, important truths
for this time, and thought they were well off without understanding
them. Their light went out, and they were groping in darkness.
The multitude of deformed and sickly, pressing for the earthly
crown, are those whose interests and treasures are in this world. Al-
though they are disappointed on every side, they will not place their