Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9 - Ellen G. White

My brethren and sisters, do not spend a large
amount of time and money on self, for the sake of
appearance. Those who do this are obliged to leave
undone many things that would have comforted
others, sending a warm glow to their weary spirits.
We all need to learn how to improve faithfully the
opportunities that so often come to us to bring light
and hope into the lives of others. How can we
improve these opportunities if our thoughts are
centered on self? He who is self-centered loses
countless opportunities for doing that which would
have brought blessing to himself and others. It is
the duty of the servant of Christ, under every
circumstance, to ask himself, What can I do to help
others? Having done his best, he is to leave the
consequences with God.
God has provided for everyone pleasure that
may be enjoyed by rich and poor alike--the
pleasure found in cultivating pureness of thought
and unselfishness of action, the pleasure that comes
from speaking sympathizing words and doing
kindly deeds. From those who perform such
service, the light of Christ shines to brighten lives
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