Some have not come up and united in the plan of systematic benevolence, excusing themselves because they were not free from debt. They plead that they must first “owe no man anything.” But the fact that they are in debt does not excuse them. I saw that they should render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. Some feel conscientious to “owe no man anything,” and think that God can require nothing of them until their debts are all paid. Here they deceive themselves. They fail to render to God the things that are His. Everyone must bring to the Lord a suitable offering. Those who are in debt should take the amount of their debts from what they possess, and give a proportion of the remainder. {1T 220.2}

Nogle er ikke kommet frem og tilsluttet planen for systematisk godgørenhed og undskyldt sig selv for at de ikke var fri for gæld. De beder inderligt om at de først må »blive ingen noget skyldige«. Men det faktum at de er i gæld undskylder dem ikke. Jeg så at de skulle give kejseren det som er kejseren og til Gud det som er Guds. Nogle føler med god samvittighed at »blive ingen noget skyldige,« og tro at Gud kræver intet af dem før al deres gæld er betalt. Her har de bedraget sig selv. De svigter ved, at ikke give Gud det, som er hans. Enhver må bringe Herren et passende offer. Dem som er i gæld bør tage deres gældsbeløb fra det som de besidder og give en del af det tiloversblevne.