Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

Chap. 45 - A Dishonest StewardI was shown that the Spirit of God has had less and less influence upon F, until hehas no strength from God to overcome. Self and self-interest have been prominent withhim for some length of time. Pride of heart, a set, unsubdued will, and an unwillingnessto confess and yield his wrongs, have brought him to the dreadful position he is in.Long has the cause been injured by his injudicious course.He has been exacting, which has encouraged a spirit of faultfinding in the church.He has been severe where it was uncalled for, and has lorded it over those upon whomhe dared to exercise authority. His prayers and exhortations have led the brethren tothink that he was a devoted Christian, which has prepared them to be affected by hiswrong course. He has been notional, and his oddities have had a bad influence uponthe minds of many. Some have been so weak as to imitate his example. I saw that hehad done far greater injury than good to the cause.Had he received the instruction given of God, and been corrected, he would haveobtained the victory over these strong habits and besetments. But I saw that he hadso long let these habits control him that the strong foe has bound him. His deal hasnot been correct. Dishonesty has been gaining upon him, and he has taken from thetreasury means that he had no right to, and has used it to his own advantage. He hasconsidered that he had better judgment in disposing of means than his brethren. Whenmeans was placed in his hands to be applied, and the giver named the individualswho were to receive it, he has acted from impulse, taken the liberty to apply it to suithimself, instead of carrying out the wishes of the giver, and has used what portion of ithe saw fit for his own benefit. God has frowned upon these things. A dishonest coursehas been gaining upon him. He227