He needs the censure of none, but the pity of all. His life has been a terrible mistake. He has suffered imaginary pecuniary want, while surrounded with plenty. Satan has taken possession of his mind and, exciting his organ of acquisitiveness, has made him insane upon this subject. The higher, nobler powers of his being have been brought very much into subjection to this close, selfish propensity. His only hope is in breaking the bands of Satan and overcoming this evil in his character. He has tried to do this by doing something after his conscience has been wrought upon, but this is not sufficient. This merely making a mighty effort and parting with a little of his mammon, and feeling all the time that he is parting with his soul, is not the fruit of true religion. He must train his mind to good works. He must brace against his propensity to acquire. He must weave good works into all his life. He must cultivate a love for doing good, and get above the little, penurious spirit which he has fostered. {2T 238.1}

Han behøver ingens kritik, men alles medynk. Hans liv har været et frygteligt fejlgreb. Han har bildt sig ind at han mangler penge, medens han er omgivet af overflod. Satan har taget plads i hans sind og har, ved at opildne hans begærlighed, gjort ham sindssyg efter dette. De højere ædlere kræfter hos ham er på det sidste underkuet ret meget, tilbøjelig til egenkærlighed. Hans eneste håb er at bryde Satans bånd og overvinde dette onde i hans karakter. Der er blevet arbejdet på hans samvittighed og han har prøvet at gøre noget efter dette, men det er ikke nok. Blot at gøre en stor anstrengelse og kun skille sig af med nogle af hans penge og hele tiden føle at han skiller sig af med sin sjæl, er ikke den sande religions frugt. Han må oplære sit sind til gode gerninger. Han må træne sig i ikke at erhverve sig ting. Ham må flette gode gerninger ind i sit liv. Han må opelske en kærlighed for at gøre godt og overvinde den lille gerrighed han har opfostret.