True generosity is too frequently destroyed by prosperity and riches. Men and women in adversity or in humble poverty will sometimes express very great love for the truth and special interest for the prosperity of the cause of God and for the salvation of their fellow men, and will tell what they would do if they only had the means. God frequently proves these; He prospers them, blesses them in basket and in store, far beyond their expectations. But their hearts are deceitful. Their good intentions and promises are like the rolling sand. The more they have the more they desire. The more they are prospered the more eager are they for gain. Some of these, who in their poverty were once even benevolent, become penurious and exacting. Money becomes their god. They delight in the power which money gives them, in the honor they receive because of it. Said the angel: “Mark ye how they stand the test. Watch the development of character under the influence of riches.” Some were oppressing the needy poor and would obtain their services for the lowest figure. They were overbearing; money was power to them. God’s eye, I saw, was upon them. They were deceived. “And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” {1T 482.3}

Sand gavmildhed er ofte blevet ødelagt af gods og rigdomme. Mænd og kvinder, i modgang eller i ydmyg fattigdom, kan til tider udtrykke en meget stor kærlighed til sandheden og en særlig interesse for at Guds sag må have fremgang og for deres medmenneskers frelse. De vil gerne fortælle hvad de vil gøre hvis de havde midlerne. Gud prøver ofte disse; han bringer dem lykke velsigner dem i det ene og andet, langt ud over deres forventninger. Men deres hjerter er svigefulde. Deres gode løfter og hensigter er som flyvende sand. Jo mere de har, des mere ønsker de. Jo mere held de (483) har, des mere ivrige er de efter at få fremgang. Nogle af dem, som i deres armod var godgørende, blev fordringsfulde og nærige. Penge blev til deres gud. De glæder sig ved den magt penge giver dem, ved den ære de får derved. Englen sagde: "Læg mærke til hvordan de står prøven. Pas på karakteropbyggelsen når rigdommene påvirker jer." Nogle undertrykker de fattige og vil have deres arbejde for det mindste beløb. De underkuer; penge er magt for dem. Jeg så at Guds øjne hviler på dem. De er bedraget. »Se, jeg kommer snart og jeg har min løn med mig for at gengælde enhver, efter som hans gerning er."