I saw that if, in the providence of God, wealth has been acquired, there is no sin in possessing it; and if no opportunities present themselves to use this means to advance the cause of God, there is no sin in still possessing it. But if opportunities are presented to the brethren to use their property to the glory of God and the advancement of His cause, and they withhold it, it will be a cause of stumbling to them. In the day of trouble that which was their hoarded treasure will be an offense unto them. Then all opportunities will be past for using their substance to the glory of God, and in anguish of spirit they will cast it from them to the moles and to the bats. Their gold and their silver cannot save them in that day. It falls upon them with crushing weight, that an account must be given of their stewardship, what use they have made of their Lord’s money. Self-love made them believe that it was all their own, and that they might want it all; but they then feel, bitterly feel and understand, that their means was only lent them of God, to be freely returned by being used to advance His cause. Their riches deceived them. They felt poor and lived for themselves, and at last they will find that the portion they might have used for God’s cause is a terrible burden. {1T 169.1}

Jeg så, ved Guds forsyn, hvis der blev opnået rigdom; er der ingen synd i at have rigdom; og hvis ikke nogen anledninger giver sig selv til at bruge midlerne i Guds sag, er der ingen synd stadig at have den. Men hvis brødre får anledning til at bruge deres ejendom til Guds herlighed og hans sags fremme og de tilbage holder den, vil de have grund til at snuble. På trængselsdagen vil deres opsamlede skatte være en forbandelse for dem. Da vil alle muligheder for at bruge deres rigdom til Guds ære være forbi, og i åndelige kvaler vil de kaste fra sig til muldvarpene og flaggermusene. Deres guld og sølv kan ikke frelse dem på den dag. Det falder på dem med knusende vægt, så et regnskab må aflægges for deres forvaltning, hvilken brug de har gjort for deres Herres penge. Egenkærlighed får dem til at tro, at det hele er deres eget og at de har brug for det hele; men de må da mærke, bitterlig mærke og forstå, at deres midler kun var lånt dem af Gud, for at give dem frit tilbage for at fremme hans sag. Deres rigdomme bedrager dem. Deres rigdomme bedrager dem. De følte sig ringe og levede for dem selv og til sidst vil de finde at den andel de skulle have brugt for Guds sag er en frygtelig byrde.