Finance
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The work is halting because gospel principles are disregarded by so
many who claim to be following Christ. Some have brought themselves
and their families into most distressing circumstances through poor
management in book-canvassing. They have run in debt, and have
borrowed money of men not of our faith.
With the work of scattering our publications and advocating the
truth, some have mingled scheming, buying and selling. This makes a
bad combination. As they labor to obtain advantage for themselves,
they are allured by the prospect of buying things for less and selling
them for more than their value. Therefore the world regards them
as sharpers, men who will gain advantage for themselves without
considering the case of others. They do not keep the commandments
of God; for they do not love their neighbor as themselves.
* * * * *
Some have engaged in canvassing for other books than those bear-
ing on present truth. Because they professed to be Christians, they
were trusted. Their claim to be Seventh-day Adventists led their em-
ployers to put confidence in them, and it was not thought necessary
to place them under restrictions. Some had a very low standard of
righteousness and honesty, and they took advantage of this confidence.
They squandered the money taken for books, money that belonged to
their employers. They made false statements; and some even commit-
ted theft, forgery, and robbery. Several of those who did this thought it
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a good opportunity, and laughed with one another over the matter. But
every one of these dishonest transactions is registered in the books of
heaven, and there it will remain until the Judgment, unless by confes-
sion, repentance, and restitution, the guilty one shall ask God to write
pardon against his name.
In the day of Judgment many will be found wanting; they have been
tested and proved by God and have been found unworthy of eternal
life. God could not trust them in heaven. The decision will be made
for eternity; he who is not faithful in that which is least can not be
trusted with greater responsibilities. All will be judged by their works;
for these have determined their character. Is it a paying business
to be dishonest?—Never; for even should there be no detection in