Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Our Ministers 447of those of experience. But frequently they are the last ones to seekadvice. They think they have superior judgment and will not be taught.These are often the very ones who are deceived by those sharp,shrewd peddlers of patent rights whose success depends upon the artof deception. These should learn that no confidence whatever can beput in such peddlers. But the brethren are credulous in regard to thevery things they should suspect and shun. They do not take home theinstruction of Paul to Timothy: “But godliness with contentment isgreat gain.” “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”Let not the poor think that the rich are the only covetous ones. Whilethe rich hold what they have with a covetous grasp, and seek to obtainstill more, the poor are in great danger of coveting the rich man’swealth. There are very few in our land of plenty who are really sopoor as to need help. If they would pursue a right course, they couldin almost every case be above want. My appeal to the rich is, Dealliberally with your poor brethren, and use your means to advancethe cause of God. The worthy poor, those who are made poor bymisfortune and sickness, deserve your special care and help. “Finally,be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love asbrethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” [482]Men and women professing godliness and expecting translation toheaven without seeing death, I warn you to be less greedy of gain, lessself-caring. Redeem your godlike manhood, your noble womanhood,by noble acts of disinterested benevolence. Heartily despise yourformer avaricious spirit and regain true nobility of soul. From whatGod has shown me, unless you zealously repent, Christ will spew youout of His mouth. Sabbathkeeping Adventists profess to be followersof Christ, but the works of many of them belie their profession. “Yeshall know them by their fruits.” “Not everyone that saith unto Me,Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeththe will of My Father which is in heaven.”I appeal to all who profess to believe the truth, to consider thecharacter and life of the Son of God. He is our example. His life wasmarked with disinterested benevolence. He was ever touched withhuman woe. He went about doing good. There was not one selfish actin all His life. His love for the fallen race, His desire to save them,was so great that He took upon Himself the wrath of His Father, andconsented to suffer the penalty of that transgression which plunged