Mind, Character, and Personality Vol. 2 - Second Advent Revival

accumulation of wealth by one class, the poverty and degradation of another. Without
some restraint, the power of the wealthy would become a monopoly, and the poor,
though in every respect fully as worthy in God's sight, would be regarded and treated as
inferior to their more prosperous brethren. {2MCP 625.3}
The sense of this oppression would arouse the passions of the poorer class. There
would be a feeling of despair and desperation which would tend to demoralize society
and open the door to crimes of every description. The regulations that God established
were designed to promote social equality. The provisions of the sabbatical
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year and the jubilee would, in a great measure, set right that which during the interval
had gone wrong in the social and political economy of the nation.--PP 534 (1890).
{2MCP 625.4}
Ranks of Society to Prove and Develop Character. --It was not the purpose of
God that poverty should ever leave the world. The ranks of society were never to be
equalized, for the diversity of condition which characterizes our race is one of the
means by which God has designed to prove and develop character. {2MCP 626.1}
Many have urged with great enthusiasm that all men should have an equal share in
the temporal blessings of God, but this was not the purpose of the Creator. Christ has
said that we shall have the poor always with us. The poor, as well as the rich, are the
purchase of His blood; and among His professed followers, in most cases, the former
serve Him with singleness of purpose, while the latter are constantly fastening their
affections on their earthly treasures, and Christ is forgotten. The cares of this life and
the greed for riches eclipse the glory of the eternal world. It would be the greatest
misfortune that has ever befallen mankind if all were to be placed upon an equality in
worldly possessions.--4T 551, 552 (1881). {2MCP 626.2}
God Outlaws Social Caste.--The religion of Christ uplifts the receiver to a higher
plane of thought and action, while at the same time it presents the whole human race
as alike the objects of the love of God, being purchased by the sacrifice of His Son. At
the feet of Jesus the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, meet together,
with no thought of caste or worldly preeminence. All earthly distinctions are forgotten as
we look upon Him whom our sins have pierced. {2MCP 626.3}
The self-denial, the condescension, the infinite compassion of Him who was highly
exalted in heaven puts to shame human pride, self-esteem, and social caste. Pure,
undefiled religion manifests its
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heaven-born principles in bringing into oneness all who are sanctified through the truth.
All meet as blood-bought souls, alike dependent upon Him who has redeemed them to
God.--GW 330 (1915). {2MCP 626.4}