1、对布道区的呼吁
致我们在美国的各教会：
我心中对于贫穷的布道园地有负担。在你们附近的传道区，在受到不幸忽视的南方园地，有一番积极进取的工作要做;而且极需资金推进国外园地的圣工。我们在国外的传道机构日趋衰弱。传道士们没有按照上帝所要求的得到供养。因为缺乏资金，工人们不能进入新的园地。{PH004 1.1}
我们周围都是正在罪中灭亡的人。然而对这事实在有负担的人多么少啊。世界正在其痛苦不幸中丧亡;然而这事犹不足以感动那些自称相信曾传给人类的最崇高最广博深远之真理的人。现今缺少的乃是爱，就是那促使基督离开祂的天家，并取了人性，为要以人性接触人性，并且吸引人性就近神性的爱。上帝的百姓已染患了昏迷瘫痪病，以致阻碍了他们领悟当前的需要。{PH004 1.2}
上帝的子民正在天上宇宙之前受考验，但他们吝啬的礼物和供物，以及在侍奉上帝方面所作的微弱努力，使他们显为不忠心的管家。倘若目前的些微成就乃是他们尽最大努力做的，他们就不会处在定罪之下;反而会用他们的资源，有更大的作为。世人知道，而上帝的子民自己也知道，他们已大大失去了克己牺牲和背负十架的精神。{PH004 1.3}
上帝需要人们对于正在沉睡、死在罪孽过犯中的世界发出警告的信息。祂需要那些心在圣工、有救灵的负担，愿人不至灭亡，反得永生之人献上乐意捐。撒但在拿人命当儿戏。他在寻求获得财力，使之被捆扎起来，不能用于推进传道事业。我们岂可对他的诡计一无所知吗?我们岂可让他麻痹我们的意识，以致看不出时代的需要吗?{H004 2.1}
我呼吁我们各处的弟兄们要醒起，把自己奉献给上帝，从祂那里寻求智慧。我呼吁我们各区会的职员们，要在我们众教会中做出认真的努力，要唤醒他们奉献财力供养国外的布道工作。外国布道委员会需要在这方面继续承担责任。你们的心若不因看到海外园地的情况而受到感动，就必限制把这最后怜悯的信息传给世界的工作，上帝希望要完成的工作也必无法完成。{PH004 2.2}
宽容时期最后的年月正在迅速结束。主的大日临近。我们现在当尽一切努力来唤醒我们的人。{PH004 2.3}
要让主藉先知玛拉基所说的话使每个人都彻底领悟：“万军之耶和华说：从你们列祖的日子以来，你们常常偏离我的典章而不遵守。现在你们要转向我，我就转向你们。你们却问说：‘我们如何才是转向呢?’人岂可夺取上帝之物呢?你们竟夺取我的供物。你们却说：‘我们在何事上夺取祢的供物呢?’就是你们在当纳的十分之一和当献的供物上。因你们通国的人都夺取我的供物，咒诅就临到你们身上。万军之耶和华说：你们要将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我是否为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们，甚至无处可容。万军之耶和华说：我必为你们斥责蝗虫，不容它毁坏你们的土产。你们田间的葡萄树在未熟之先，必不掉果子。万军之耶和华说：万国必称你们为有福的，因你们的地必成为喜乐之地”(玛3:7-12)。{PH004 2.4}
现在就是我们要听从上帝圣言的教训的时候。祂一切的命令都是为我们的益处赐下的，以便使人转离罪恶的生活而归向公义的生活。每个归服真理的人都应在当纳的十分之一和当献的供物上受教导，明白主的要求。当教会被建立起来时，就要果断地持守住这项工作。人们所享受的一切，是从主的大公司中领受的，而且祂喜悦自己的选民享受祂的财物;但所有站在以马内利大君之血染旌旗下的人，都签订了一份特别的合同，承认自己对上帝的依赖，以及自己有义务把一定份额的钱财当作祂的东西归还给祂的府库。这是要投入到布道工作中的，好完成上帝的儿子在离开之前所交付给祂门徒的使命：“天上地下的所有权柄都赐给我了。所以你们要去，使万民作我的门徒。”{PH004 3.1}
“你们往普天下去，传福音给凡受造的听。”“奉父子圣灵的名给他们施洗，凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守，我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了”(太28:18,19;可16:15;太28:20)。{PH004 4.1}
那些真心归主的人都已经蒙召，要从事一项需要金钱和献身的工作。我们记名在教会的名册上，就使我们负有责任，要竭尽自己所能的为上帝工作。祂要我们专心一意的服务，将心、灵、智、能完全奉献。基督之所以把我们引进教会，就是要使我们一切的才能可以全然贯注，专用在救灵的服务上。任何不及于此的就是反对圣工了。我们在宇宙中只有两处地方可以储存财宝——或在上帝的府库，或在撒但的府库。而且凡没有奉献为基督服务的，便都算是在撒但那一边的，去加强他的事业了。{PH004 4.2}
按照主的计划，那交托我们的财物，当用来增进祂的国。祂的财物既已交托给祂的管家，这样他们就可以谨慎地经营交易，并在拯救生灵得永生的事上，把利润归还与祂。况且这些生灵，也依次成为真理的管家，为了上帝之国的利益，而与这个大公司合作。{PH004 4.3}
在上帝的国民中，无论在哪里，只要有生命，就必有增加和成长;有不断的轮替交换——有受有施;从主那里领受并把属于主的归还与祂。上帝和每位真信徒合作，同时那信徒所领受的亮光和福惠，也要从他所做的工作上再度施予出去。他既这样分授自己所领受的，他那领受的容量也就增加了。在他分赠上天的恩赐时，他就腾出了地方，好让那从活水泉源发出的新鲜恩典与真理畅流到心灵里来。于是更大的光，增长了的知识和福惠，就都归与他了。教会的生命和发展，就在于移交给每一位信徒的这种工作。那种在生活上只顾领受而绝不施与的人，不久就必丧失所蒙的福惠。如果真理不从他那里流传给别人，他就丧失自己的领受力了。我们若想拥有新的福惠，就必须分赠属天的财物。{PH004 4.4}
这在今生和属灵的事物上都是真实的。主并没有带金银来到世上推进祂的工作。祂把资源供应给人，好藉着他们的礼物和奉献来使祂的圣工保持前进。关于运用上帝的恩赐，有一个超乎其它一切的目的，就是养活在大收割园地里的工人。如果人们愿意成为上帝的福惠藉以流传给别人的通道，那么主就一定会保持这通道的供应满足。把上帝自己的东西归还给祂并不使人贫穷;扣留上帝的东西才易于使人贫穷。{PH004 5.1}
把所领受的施予出去，这工作会使每个教友成为与上帝同工的人。出于你们自己你们什么也不能做;但基督是伟大的工人。每个接待基督的人都有特权成为与祂同工的人。{PH004 5.2}
救主说过：“我若从地上被举起来，就要吸引万人来归我”(约12:32)。基督因见人从毁灭者手中被救出来的喜乐，而忍受了十字架。祂为一个堕落的世界成了活祭。基督的心投入到那个自我牺牲的行动中的，乃是上帝的爱;藉着这一牺牲，世人才得蒙赐予圣灵大能的感化力。正是藉着牺牲，上帝的圣工才必得到推进。上帝的每个儿女都需要自我牺牲。基督说：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，天天背起他的十字架来跟从我”(路9:23)。基督赐给一切相信的人一个新的品格。这个新品格，因为祂的无限牺牲，将是祂自己品格的再现。{PH004 5.3}
真理的“创始者”，也必成为真理的“成终者”。一个真理接纳入人心之后，就必为另一个真理预备地方。而且真理一经接受，就必使这接受之人的能力活跃起来。我们的信徒一旦真正爱慕上帝的道，就会表现出最好最坚强的品质，并且他们为人愈高尚，就必在精神上愈像婴孩，既相信上帝的道，就必反对一切自私自利。{PH004 6.1}
上帝呼吁祂的子民意识到他们的责任。上帝的道正发出灿烂的光辉，这对于那已经忽略的义务，应该引起一番觉悟来。何时人人都在十分之一和乐意捐上将属上帝之物归还给祂，履行了义务，门路就必敞开，叫世人听见主所计划要叫他们听见的信息。如果上帝子民的心全都充满了对基督的爱，如果每位信徒彻底浸染了自我牺牲的精神，如果大家都显出充分的热忱，则国内国外各布道区的经费，就不致感到缺乏。同时我们的资源就必增加;有成千的效用之门也必敞开，邀请我们进入。上帝的子民若在将怜悯的信息传与世人的事上，遵行了祂的旨意，则基督早就来到世上，圣徒们也必早被迎接进入上帝的城了。{PH004 6.2}
如果有一个时候应当作出牺牲的话，现在就是了。凡是有钱的人，应该明了现在正是为上帝用钱的时候。不要将款项专用在为工作已经建妥的地方增添设备;不要在工作集中之处大兴土木，增加建筑;而要利用这些款项在新的地区设立多数的工作中枢。试为我们的国外布道区设想，他们有的甚至于还在为要获得一个立足之点而奋斗;甚至连最低的设备都没有。不要再在那百无一缺的地方增加设备了，而要在这些缺乏的地区将工作建立起来。主已一再地论到这事;凡藐视祂训诲的百姓，祂的福分必定轮不到他们身上。{PH004 7.1}
要在你们家庭中实行节约。有许多人不但珍视而且还崇拜偶像。抛弃你的偶像吧!撇下你自私的享乐吧!我求你不要只顾花钱来装修自己的住宅;因为那是上帝的钱，祂还要再向你追讨的。父母们啊，为基督的缘故，你们切莫用主的金钱来迎合自己儿女的嗜好。千万不要教他们去追求时髦和虚饰以便在世上获得势力。试想这样的事能使他们有志于拯救那基督为之舍命的人吗?自然不能;因为这样的事只能引起忌恨，嫉妒，和恶意的猜测。你们的儿女将要受引诱在属世的炫耀和奢侈上，去与人争奇斗艳;并将主的钱财浪费在那对于健康幸福来说并不必要的事上。{PH004 7.2}
千万不要教你们的儿女以为必须听任他们去骄奢放纵，浪费无度，和贪爱虚荣炫耀，才是表示你们爱他们。现在实在没有时间可去发明新的方法耗尽金钱了;要运用你们发明的能力来讲求节俭。不要只顾满足自私的嗜好，将金钱虚掷在那些败坏推理能力的事物上;而要研究如何克己，好使你们可以在新地区高举真理旗帜的事上有所投资。智力也是一种资财;应当用以研究如何在救灵的工作上，使你们的钱财作最良好的运用。{PH004 8.1}
当教导你们的儿女明了上帝在他们的一切事物上具有要求权，这种要求权是决不能抹煞的;他们所有的任何事物都只是受托以试验他们是否愿意顺从。{PH004 8.2}
钱财原是一种需要的宝物;不要将它耗费在那些不需要的人身上。因为还另有人需要你的乐意施舍呢。可惜那些有钱的人，往往太不顾到世上不知有多少人是濒乎饥馑死亡之间。他们或者说：“我决不能完全供养他们所有的人啊。”可是藉着实行基督关于节俭的教训，你总能供养一个吧。你也许能供养许多在属世粮食上饥饿的人。你还能用生命的粮食去供养他们的心灵。“把剩下的零碎收拾起来，免得有糟蹋的”(约6:12)。这话是那位施行神迹使五千人(除了妇女和孩子之外)吃饱的主说的。{PH004 8.3}
要在光阴的使用上实行节约，因为光阴是属乎主的;你们的力量也是属乎主的。如果你们向来有种种浪费的恶习，就要尽快从生活中革除。因为如果放任这些恶习，必致使你的永生破产。至于俭省、勤劳，和节制的习惯，即使在此世，对于你和你的儿女，亦较诸优厚的天赋更为可贵。{PH004 8.4}
我们在世原是客旅，是寄居的。因此，我们不要将钱财花在满足上帝所命我们抑制的各种欲望上;倒要在与我们交往之人面前，树立一个正确的榜样。我们须约束自己的需要，借以适当地表示我们的信仰。众教会要兴起如一人，诚恳地工作，正如在这末后日子完全真理之光中行走的人一般。{PH004 9.1}
如果在上帝的天意安排之下，使你富足了，那你也不可心安理得，自以为毋庸从事有益的劳作，因已丰足无虞，而尽可吃喝快乐了。当别人正在为主圣工努力筹募资金之时，你不宜闲站不理。要将你的钱财投资在主的工作上。如果你在传光给行将丧亡之人的事上不完全尽到你的本分，就要确信你的怠惰是在招致罪过。{PH004 9.2}
赐人得货财之力的乃是上帝;祂之所以赐下这种能力，并非要人用作满足自我的手段，乃是要人用作将属乎上帝的归还祂的手段。根据这一目的，则使用我们的能力获得钱财并非罪恶。金钱应自劳动而得来。每位青少年应养成勤奋的习惯。圣经并未因富足而判定任何一个人的罪，只要他的财富是正当得来的。贪爱钱财才是万恶之根。如果拥有财富的人认识到财富不是他自己的，而是主的，则财富将证明对他是一种福分;因此他应当存着感谢的心而领受，也当存着感谢的心归还给那位赐与者。{PH004 9.3}
不过若以无数财富储藏于华厦或银行之中，试问那又有什么价值呢?这一切，若和救一个无穷的上帝儿子为之舍命的人来比较，又算得什么呢?{H004 10.1}
主对那些在末世只知积聚钱财的人说：“你们的财物坏了，衣服也被虫子咬了。你们的金银都长了锈;那锈要证明你们的不是，又要吃你们的肉，如同火烧”(雅5:2,3)。{PH004 10.2}
主吩咐我们说：“你们要变卖所有的周济人，为自己预备永不坏的钱囊，用不尽的财宝在天上，就是贼不能近、虫不能蛀的地方。因为你们的财宝在哪里，你们的心也在那里。你们腰里要束上带，灯也要点着。自己好像仆人等候主人从婚姻的筵席上回来。祂来到叩门，就立刻给祂开门。主人来了，看见仆人警醒，那仆人就有福了。我实在告诉你们，主人必叫他们坐席，自己束上带，进前伺候他们。或是二更天来，或是三更天来，看见仆人这样，那仆人就有福了。家主若知道贼什么时候来，就必警醒，不容贼挖透房屋，这是你们所知道的。你们也要预备，因为你们想不到的时候，人子就来了”(路12:33-40)。{PH004 10.3}
PH004 - An Appeal for Missions
To our Churches in America:There is a burden upon my soul in regard to the destitute mission fields. There is aggressive work to be done in the missions near you; in the Southern field, which has been sadly neglected; there is great need of funds to advance the work in foreign fields. Our foreign missions are languishing. The missionaries are not sustained as God requires they should be. For want of funds, workers are not able to enter new fields.?{PH004 1.1}[1]
All around us souls are perishing in their sins. But how few are really burdened over the matter. The world is perishing in its misery; but this hardly moves even those who claim to believe the highest and most far-reaching truth ever given to mortals. There is a lack of that love which led Christ to leave his heavenly home, and take man’s nature, that humanity might touch humanity, and draw humanity to divinity. There is a stupor, a paralysis, upon the people of God, which keeps them from understanding what is needed for this time.?{PH004 1.2}[2]
God’s people are on trial before the heavenly universe; but the scantiness of their gifts and offerings, and the feebleness of their efforts in God’s service, mark them as unfaithful stewards. If what they are doing were the best they could do, condemnation would not come upon them; but with their resources they could do much more.?The world knows, and they know, that they have to a great degree lost the spirit of self-denial and cross-bearing.?{PH004 1.3}[3]
God calls for men to give the message of warning to the world that is asleep, dead in trespasses and sins. He calls for free-will offerings from those whose hearts are in the work, who have a burden for souls, that they shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Satan is playing the game of life for the souls of men. He is seeking to secure means, that he may bind it up, so that it shall not be used to advance the missionary enterprises. Shall we be ignorant of his devices? Shall we allow him to stupefy our senses, so that we shall not discern the needs of this time??{PH004 2.1}[4]
I appeal to our brethren everywhere to awake, to consecrate themselves to God, and to seek wisdom from him. I appeal to the officers of our conferences to make earnest efforts in our churches to arouse them to give of their means for sustaining foreign missions. The Foreign Mission Board needs to carry a continual responsibility in this line. Unless your hearts are touched as you see the situation in foreign fields, the last message of mercy to be given to the world will be restricted, and the work which God would have done will be left undone.?{PH004 2.2}[5]
The last years of probation are passing into eternity. The great day of the Lord is soon to open upon us. We should now use every ability we possess to arouse our people.?{PH004 2.3}[6]
Let the words of the Lord by the prophet Malachi be brought home to every soul: “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith?the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes in the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.”?{PH004 2.4}[7]
It is time for us to give heed to the teaching of the word of God. All his injunctions are given to do us good, to convert the soul from a life of sin to a life of righteousness. Every one who is converted to the truth should be instructed in regard to the Lord’s requirements for tithes and offerings. As churches are raised up, this work must be taken hold of decidedly. All that men enjoy they receive from the Lord’s great firm, and he is pleased to have his heritage enjoy his goods; but with all who stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel he has made a special contract that they show their dependence upon God and their accountability to him by returning to the treasury a certain portion as his own. This is to be invested in supporting the missionary work which must be done to fulfil the commission given by the Son of God just before he left his disciples: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”?{PH004 3.1}[8]
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”?{PH004 4.1}[9]
Those who are truly converted are called to do a work which requires money and consecration. The obligation which binds us to place our names on the church roll holds us responsible to work to the utmost of our ability for God. He calls for undivided service, for the entire devotion of heart, soul, mind, and strength. Christ has brought us into church capacity, that he may engage and engross all our capabilities in devoted service for the salvation of others. Anything short of this is opposition to the work. There are only two places in the universe where we can deposit our treasures,—in God’s storehouse or in Satan’s; and all that is not devoted to God’s service is counted on Satan’s side, and goes to strengthen his cause.?{PH004 4.2}[10]
The Lord designs that the means entrusted to us shall be used in building up his kingdom. His goods are committed to his stewards, that they may be carefully traded upon, and bring back a revenue to him in the saving of souls unto eternal life. And these souls in their turn will become stewards of truth, to co-operate with the great firm in the interests of the kingdom of God.?{PH004 4.3}[11]
Wherever there is life in the subjects of God’s kingdom, there will be increase and growth; there is a constant interchange, taking and giving out, receiving and returning to the Lord his own. God works with every true believer, and the light and blessing received is given out again in the work?which the believer does. As he thus gives of that which he has received, his capacity for receiving is increased. As he imparts of the heavenly gifts, he makes room for fresh currents of grace and truth to flow into the soul from the living fountain. Greater light, increased knowledge and blessing, are his. In this work, which devolves upon every church member, is the life and growth of the church. He whose life consists in ever receiving and never giving, soon loses the blessing. If truth does not flow forth from him to others, he loses his capacity to receive. We must impart the goods of heaven if we would have fresh blessings.?{PH004 4.4}[12]
This is as true of temporal as of spiritual blessings. The Lord does not propose to come to this world and lay down gold and silver to advance his work. He supplies men with resources, that they may by their gifts and offerings keep his work advancing. The one purpose above all others for which God’s gifts should be used is the sustaining of workers in the great harvest field. And if men will become channels through which God’s blessing can flow to others, the Lord will keep the channel supplied. It is not returning to God his entrusted gifts that makes men poor; withholding them tends to poverty.?{PH004 5.1}[13]
The work of imparting to others that which he has received will constitute every member of the church a laborer together with God. Of yourselves you can do nothing; but Christ is the great worker. It is the privilege of every human being who receives Christ to be a worker with him.?{PH004 5.2}[14]
The Saviour said, “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” For the joy of seeing souls rescued from the hand of the destroyer, Christ endured the cross. He became the?living sacrifice for a fallen world. Into that act of self-sacrifice was put the heart of Christ, the love of God; and through this sacrifice the mighty influence of the Holy Spirit was given to the world. It is through sacrifice that the work must be carried forward. Self-sacrifice is required of every child of God. Christ said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Christ gives a new character to all who believe. This character, through his infinite sacrifice, is to be the reproduction of his own.?{PH004 5.3}[15]
The Author of truth will be the finisher of the work. One truth, received in the heart, will make room for still another truth. And the truth, wherever received, quickens into activity the powers of the receiver. When our church members are truly lovers of God’s word, they will reveal the best and strongest qualities, and the nobler they are, the more childlike in spirit will they be, believing the word of God against all selfishness.?{PH004 6.1}[16]
God calls upon his people to awake to their responsibilities. A flood of light is shining from the word of God, and there must be an awakening to neglected obligations. When these are met, by giving back to God his own in tithes and offerings, the way will be opened for the world to hear the message the Lord designs it shall hear. If God’s people had the love of Christ in the heart, if every church member were thoroughly imbued with the spirit of self-sacrifice, if all manifested thorough earnestness, there would be no lack of funds for home and foreign missions; our resources would be multiplied; a thousand doors of usefulness would be opened, and we should be invited?to enter. Had the purpose of God been carried out by his people in giving the message of mercy to the world, Christ would have come to the earth, and the saints would ere this have received their welcome into the city of God.?{PH004 6.2}[17]
If there was ever a time when sacrifices should be made, it is now. Those who have means should understand that now is the time to use it for God. Let not means be absorbed in multiplying facilities where the work has already been established. Do not add building to building where many interests are now centered. Use the means to establish centers in new fields. Think of our missions in foreign countries. Some of them are struggling to gain even a foothold; they are destitute of even the most meager facilities. Instead of adding to facilities already abundant, build up the work in these destitute fields. Again and again the Lord has spoken in regard to this. His blessing can not attend his people in disregarding his instruction.?{PH004 7.1}[18]
Practice economy in your homes. By many, idols are cherished and worshiped. Put away your idols. Give up your selfish pleasures. Do not, I beg of you, absorb means in embellishing your houses: for it is God’s money, and it will be required of you again. Parents, for Christ’s sake do not use the Lord’s money to please the fancies of your children. Do not teach them to seek after style and ostentation in order to attain an influence in the world. Will this incline them to save the souls for whom Christ died? No; it will not do this. It will create in the heart envy, jealousy, evil surmising. They will be led to compete with the show and extravagance of the world, and to expend the Lord’s money for that which is not essential to health and happiness.?{PH004 7.2}[19]
Do not educate your children to think that your love for them must be expressed by indulging their pride, their extravagance, their love of display. There is no time now to invent ways for using up money. Your inventive faculties are to be put to the stretch, to see how you can economize. Instead of gratifying selfish inclination, spending money for those things which destroy the reasoning faculties, study how to deny self, that you may have something to invest in lifting the standard of truth in new fields. The intellect is a talent; use it in studying how your means can best be employed for the salvation of souls.?{PH004 8.1}[20]
Teach your children that God has a claim upon all they possess, and that nothing can ever cancel this claim; all they have is theirs only in trust, to prove whether they will be obedient.?{PH004 8.2}[21]
Money is a needed treasure; let it not be lavished upon those who do not need it. Some one needs your willing gifts. Those who have had means to use freely have not taken into consideration the fact that there are multitudes in the world who are hungry, starving. They may say, I can not feed them all. But by practicing the lessons of Christ on economy, you can feed one. It may be that you can feed many who are hungering for temporal food. And you can feed their souls with the bread of life. “Gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost.” These words were spoken by Him whose power wrought a miracle to supply the needs of five thousand men besides women and children.?{PH004 8.3}[22]
Practice economy in the use of your time. This is the Lord’s. Your strength is the Lord’s. If you have extravagant habits, cut them away from your life as soon as possible. Unless you do this,?you will be bankrupt for eternity. And habits of economy, industry, and sobriety are, even in this world, a better portion for you and your children than a rich dowry.?{PH004 8.4}[23]
We are travelers, pilgrims and strangers, on earth. Let us not spend our means in gratifying desires that God would have us repress. Let us rather set a right example before those with whom we associate. Let us fitly represent our faith to others by restricting our wants. Let the churches arise as one man, and work earnestly as those who are walking in the full light of truth for these last days.?{PH004 9.1}[24]
If in the providence of God you have been given riches, do not settle down with the thought that there is no need for you to exert yourself, that you have enough to draw upon, and that you can eat, drink, and be merry. Do not stand idle while others are using their capabilities in an effort to obtain means for the cause. Invest your means in the Lord’s work. If you are doing less than you should do in giving light to the souls perishing around you, be sure that you are incurring guilt by your indolence.?{PH004 9.2}[25]
It is God who gives men power to get wealth, and he has ordained that this ability shall be regarded, not a means of gratifying self, but as a means of returning to God his own. With this object, it is no sin to use our capabilities in acquiring means. Money is to be earned by labor. Every youth should be educated in habits of industry. The Bible condemns no man for being rich, if he has acquired his riches honestly. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil. Wealth will prove a great blessing to its possessor if he realizes that it is not his own, but the Lord’s,?to be received with thankfulness, and with thankfulness returned to the Giver.?{PH004 9.3}[26]
But of what value is untold wealth, if it is hoarded up in expensive mansions or in bank stock? What do these weigh in the scale in comparison with the salvation of one soul, for whom Christ, the Son of the infinite God, has died??{PH004 10.1}[27]
To those who have heaped together treasure for the last days the Lord declares, “Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.”?{PH004 10.2}[28]
The Lord bids us: “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. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for the Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the good man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”?{PH004 10.3}[29]
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