Ministers and Commercial Business
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faith, love, patience, meekness.” [
1 Timothy 6:10, 11
.] By example
as well as by precept, the ambassador for Christ is to “charge them
that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in
uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things
to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready
to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for them-
selves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay
hold on eternal life.” [
1 Timothy 6:17-19
.]—
The Acts of the Apostles,
365-367
.
* * * * *
Ministers cannot carry the burden of the work while at the same
time they are carrying the burden of farms or other business enterprises,
having their hearts on their earthly treasure. Their spiritual discernment
is dimmed. They cannot appreciate the wants of the cause of God, and
therefore cannot put forth well-directed efforts to meet its emergencies
[341]
and to advance its interests. The want of a full consecration to the
work on the part of the minister is soon felt all through the field where
he labors. If his own standard is low, he will not bring others to accept
a higher one.
* * * * *
Land and Mining Speculation
The Lord cannot glorify His name through ministers who attempt
to serve God and mammon. We are not to urge men to invest in
mining stock, or in city lots, holding out the inducement that the
money invested will be doubled in a short time. Our message for this
time is, “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags
which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no
thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.” [
Luke 12:33, 34
.]
Just before the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, Satan sought
to seduce them, and lead them into idolatry, thinking to compass their
ruin. He works in the same way in our day. There are young men
whom God would accept as workers together with Him, but they have