Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

slow process of persevering toil. Some are in such haste to better their conditionthat they engage in various enterprises without consulting men of good judgment andexperience. Their expectations are seldom realized; instead of gaining, they lose,and then come temptation and a disposition to envy the rich. They really want tobe benefited by the wealth of their brethren, and feel tried because they are not. Butthey are not worthy of receiving special help. They have evidence that their effortshave been scattered. They have been changeable in business, and full of anxiety andcares which bring but small returns. Such persons should listen to the counsel of thoseof experience. But frequently they are the last ones to seek advice. They think theyhave superior judgment and will not be taught.These are often the very ones who are deceived by those sharp, shrewd peddlers ofpatent rights whose success depends upon the art of deception. These should learn thatno confidence whatever can be put in such peddlers. But the brethren are credulousin regard to the very things they should suspect and shun. They do not take home theinstruction of Paul to Timothy: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” “Andhaving food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Let not the poor think that therich are the only covetous ones. While the rich hold what they have with a covetousgrasp, and seek to obtain still more, the poor are in great danger of coveting the richman’s wealth. There are very few in our land of plenty who are really so poor as toneed help. If they would pursue a right course, they could in almost every case be abovewant. My appeal to the rich is, Deal liberally with your poor brethren, and use yourmeans to advance the 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 onemind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.”481