Warning Against Centralization
239
At the very beginning of the gospel dispensation He taught His
church to rely, not on worldly rank and splendor, but on the power of
faith and obedience. The favor of God is of greater value than gold
and silver. The power of His Spirit is of inestimable worth.
Thus saith the Lord: “Buildings will give character to My work
only when those who erect them follow My instruction in regard to
the establishment of institutions. Had those who have managed and
sustained the work in the past always been controlled by pure, unselfish
principles, there never would have been the selfish gathering of a large
share of My means into one or two places. Institutions would have
been established in many localities. The seeds of truth, sown in many
more fields, would have sprung up and borne fruit to My glory.
“Places that have been neglected are now to receive attention. My
people are to do a sharp, quick work. Those who with purity of purpose
fully consecrate themselves to Me, body, soul, and spirit, shall work
in My way and in My name. Everyone shall stand in his lot, looking
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to Me, his Guide and Counselor.
“I will instruct the ignorant and anoint with heavenly eyesalve the
eyes of many who are now in spiritual darkness. I will raise up agents
who will carry out My will to prepare a people to stand before Me in
the time of the end. In many places that before this ought to have been
provided with sanitariums and schools, I will establish My institutions,
and these institutions will become educational centers for the training
of workers.”
Providential Opportunities
The Lord will work upon human minds in unexpected quarters.
Some who apparently are enemies of the truth will, in God’s provi-
dence, invest their means to develop properties and erect buildings. In
time, these properties will be offered for sale at a price far below their
cost. Our people will recognize the hand of Providence in these offers
and will secure valuable property for use in educational work. They
will plan and manage with humility, self-denial, and self-sacrifice.
Thus men of means are unconsciously preparing auxiliaries that will
enable the Lord’s people to advance His work rapidly.
In various places, properties are to be purchased to be used for
sanitarium purposes. Our people should be looking for opportunities