Selfishness girds many about as with iron bands. It is “my farm,” “my goods,” “my trade,” “my merchandise.” Even the claims of common humanity are disregarded by them. Men and women professing to be waiting and loving the appearing of their Lord are shut up to self. The noble, the godlike, they have parted with. The love of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, have so fastened upon them that they are blinded. They are corrupted by the world and discern it not. They talk of love to God, but their fruits show not the love they express. They rob Him in tithes and offerings, and the withering curse of God is upon them. The truth has been illuminating their pathway on every side. God has wrought wonderfully in the salvation of souls in their own households, but where are their offerings, presented to Him in grateful thanks for all His tokens of mercy to them? Many of them are as unthankful as the brute creation. The sacrifice for man was infinite, beyond the comprehension of the strongest intellect, yet men who claim to be partakers of these heavenly benefits, which were brought to them at so great a cost, are too thoroughly selfish to make any real sacrifice for God. Their minds are upon the world, the world, the world. In the forty-ninth psalm we read: “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him (for the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever).” If all would bear in mind, and could in a small degree appreciate, the immense sacrifice made by Christ, they would feel rebuked for their fearfulness and their supreme selfishness. “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” Because of selfishness and love of the world, God is forgotten, and many have barrenness of soul, and cry: “My leanness, my leanness.” The Lord has lent means to His people to prove them, to test the depth of their professed love for Him. Some would let go of Him and give up their heavenly treasure rather than to decrease their earthly possessions and make a covenant with Him by sacrifice. He calls for them to sacrifice; but the love of the world closes their ears, and they will not hear. {2T 197.2}

Egenkærlighed binder op omkring mange med jernbånd. Det er "min gård", "mit gods," "min levevej", "min forretning". Selv de almindelige menneskelige krav ignorer de. Mænd og kvinder der bekender sig til at vente og holde af deres Herres tilsynekomst lukker sig selv inde. Det ædle og det gudfrygtige har de skilt sig af med. Verdenskærlighed, kødets lyster, øjnenes lyst, livets stolthed, har fæstnet sig så meget at de er blinde. De er fordærvet af verden, men ser det ikke. De taler om kærlighed til Gud, men deres frugter viser ikke den kærlighed de giver udtryk for. De røver ham i tiende- og gavebetaling og Guds knusende forbandelse er over dem. Sandheden har oplyst deres stivej på hver side. Gud har forunderligt arbejdet på deres sjæles frelse i deres eget hus, men hvor er deres ofre, til ham i taknemmelighed for hans tegn på barmhjertighed? Mange (198) af dem er ligeså utaknemmelige som brutale folk. Ofret for mennesket var uendeligt, langt over sammenligning med det største intellekt, alligevel er mennesker, som påberåber at have del i de himmelske goder, som var købt for så stor en omkostning, gennemgående for egenkærlige til at gøre et reelt offer for Gud. Deres tanker ligger til verden, verden, verden. I den niogfyrretyvende salme læser vi: »Hvorfor skulle jeg frygte i de onde dage, når mine lumske fjender omringer mig med brøde, de, som stoler på deres gods og bryster sig af deres store rigdom? Visselig, ingen kan købe sin sjæl fri og give Gud en løsesum. (for indløsningen af deres sjæl er værdifuld og den er evig).« Hvis alle ville have i tanke og kunne fatte lidt af det umådelige offer udført af Kristus, ville de føle sig sat i rette for deres frygtsomhed og deres yderliggående selviskhed. »Vor Gud komme og tie ikke! - Foran ham gik fortærende ild, omkring ham rasede storm; han stævnede Himlen deroppe hid og jorden for at dømme sit folk: »Saml mig mine fromme, der sluttede pagt med mig ved ofre !« På grund af egenkærlig og kærlighed til verden er Gud glemt og mange har sjælens goldhed og råber: "Min støtte, min støtte." Herren har lånt sit folk midler for at prøve dem. For at teste dybden af deres bekendende kærlighed til ham. Nogle vil opgive ham og deres himmelske rigdomme frem for at formindske deres jordiske besiddelser og slutte pagt med ham ved offer. Han kræver et offer, men kærlighed til verden lukker deres ører og de vil ikke høre.