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Explanation
107
worth of it. Those poor souls who have just embraced the third
angel’s message and have had such an example set before them will
have much to learn to deny self and suffer for Christ’s sake. They
will have to learn to give up ease, cease studying their convenience
and comfort, and bear in mind the worth of souls. Those who feel
the ‘woe’ upon them will not be for making great preparations to
travel in ease and comfort. Some who have no calling have been
encouraged into the field. Others have been affected by these things
and have not felt the need of economy, of denying themselves, and
putting into the treasury of the Lord. They would feel and say,
‘There are others who have means enough; they will give for the
paper. I need not do anything. The paper will be supported without
my help.’”
It has been no small trial to me to see that some have taken that
portion of my views which related to sacrificing property to sustain
the cause and made a wrong use of it; they use means extravagantly,
while neglecting to carry out the principles of other portions. On
page 50, read the following: “I saw that the cause of God had been
hindered and dishonored by some traveling who had no message
from God. Such will have to give an account to God for every dollar
they have used in traveling where it was not their duty to go, because
that money might have helped on the cause of God.” Also, page
[95]
50: “I saw that those who have strength to labor with their hands,
and help sustain the cause, were as accountable for their strength as
others were for their property.”
I would here call special attention to the view of this subject
given on page 57. Here is a short extract: “The object of the words
of our Saviour [in
Luke 12:33
] has not been clearly presented.” I
saw that “the object of selling is not to give to those who are able to
labor and support themselves, but to spread the truth. It is a sin to
support and indulge in idleness those who are able to labor. Some
have been zealous to attend all the meetings, not to glorify God, but
for the ‘loaves and fishes.’ Such would much better have been at
home laboring with their hands, ‘the thing that is good,’ to supply
the wants of their families, and to have something to give to sustain
the precious cause.” It has been Satan’s design in times past to push
out some with a hurried spirit to make a too free use of means,
and influence the brethren to rashly dispose of their property, that