Testimony Treasures, Volume 1 - Ellen G. White

prosperity of Christ's kingdom should be paramount to every other
consideration. Those who make their pleasure and selfish interest the chief
objects of their lives are not faithful stewards.
Those who deny self to do others good, and who devote themselves and
all they have to Christ's service, will realize the happiness which the selfish
man seeks for in vain. Said our Saviour: "Whosoever he be of you that
forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:33. Charity
"seeketh not her own." This is the fruit of that disinterested love and
benevolence which characterized the life of Christ. The law of God in our
hearts will bring our own interests in subordination to high and eternal
considerations.
Treasure on Earth
We are enjoined by Christ to seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness. This is our first and highest duty. Our Master expressly
warned His servants not to lay up treasures upon the earth; for in so doing
their hearts would be upon earthly rather than heavenly things. Here is where
many poor souls have made shipwreck of faith. They have gone directly
contrary to the express injunction of our Lord, and have allowed the love of
money to become the ruling passion of their lives. They are intemperate in
their efforts to acquire means. They are as much intoxicated with their insane
desire for riches as is the inebriate with his liquor.
Christians forget that they are servants of the Master; that they
themselves, their time, and all that they have belong to Him. Many are
tempted, and the majority are overcome, by the delusive inducements which
Satan presents to invest their money where it will yield them the greatest
profit in dollars and cents. There are but few who consider the binding
claims that God has upon them to make it their first business to meet the
necessities of His cause and let their own desires be served last. There are
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