Releasing the Streams of Benevolence
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recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of
the just.”—
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 111, 112
.
God’s Superscription on Every Dollar—Whatever may be the
sum of our talents, whether one, two, or five, not a farthing of our
money is to be squandered upon vanity, pride, or selfishness. Every
dollar of our accumulation is stamped with the image and superscrip-
tion of God. As long as there are hungry ones in God’s world to be
fed, naked ones to be clothed, souls perishing for the bread and water
of salvation, every unnecessary indulgence, every overplus of capital,
pleads for the poor and the naked.—
The Signs of the Times, June 20,
1892
.
Streams of Beneficence Dried Up—The more means persons
expend in dress, the less they can have to feed the hungry and clothe
the naked; and the streams of beneficence, which should be constantly
flowing, are dried up. Every dollar saved by denying one’s self of
useless ornaments may be given to the needy or may be placed in the
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Lord’s treasury to sustain the gospel, to send missionaries to foreign
countries, to multiply publications to carry rays of light to souls in
the darkness of error. Every dollar used unnecessarily deprives the
spender of a precious opportunity to do good.—
Testimonies for the
Church 4:645, 646
.
God Calls for Self-Denial—God calls upon the young to deny
themselves of needless ornaments and articles of dress, even if they
cost but a few dimes, and place the amount in the charity box. He
also calls upon those of mature age to stop when they are examining
a gold watch or chain or some expensive article of furniture and ask
themselves the question: Would it be right to expend so large an
amount for that which we could do without or when a cheaper article
would serve our purpose just as well? By denying yourselves and
lifting the cross for Jesus, who for your sakes became poor, you can
do much toward relieving the suffering of the poor among us; and by
thus imitating the example of your Lord and Master you will receive
His approval and blessing.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:511
.
Not a Light Matter to Be the Lord’s Steward—What if they
should see inscribed upon their expensive decorations in their homes,
the pictures, and furniture, “Bring the poor that are cast out to thy
house”! In the dining room, where the table is laden with abundant