“If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” There was a point of time in the experience of such, when the light given them was not cherished, and it became darkness. Said the angel: “Ye cannot love and worship the treasures of earth, and have the true riches.” When the young man came to Jesus and said to Him, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Jesus gave him his choice, to part with his possessions and have eternal life, or retain them and lose it. His riches were of greater value to him than the heavenly treasure. The condition that he must part with his treasures and give to the poor in order to become a follower of Christ and have eternal life, chilled his desire; and he went away sorrowful. {1T 350.2}

»Hvis nu det lys, der er i dig, er mørke, hvor stort bliver så ikke mørket!« Der var et tidspunkt i sådannes erfaring, da det lys, der blev dem givet, ikke blev fastholdt og det blev til mørke. Engelen sagde: »I kan ikke elske og dyrke jordens skatte og dog have den sande rigdom.« Da den unge mand kom til Jesus og sagde til ham: »Mester! hvad godt skal jeg gøre, for at jeg kan få et evigt liv?« gav Jesus ham valget mellem at skille sig af med sit gods og opnå det evige liv eller beholde det og miste livet. Hans rigdom havde større værdi for ham end den himmelske skat. Den betingelse, at han skulle skille sig af med sine skatte og give dem til de fattige for at kunne blive en Kristi efterfølger og få det evige liv, kølnede hans ønske og han gik bedrøvet bort.