Some have really deprived themselves of means necessary for the comfort of their families, and some of even the necessaries of life, to help you, and you have received it. Paul writes to his Philippian brethren: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” He also writes to his Corinthian brethren: “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.” Again, he mournfully says: “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” {2T 622.2}

Men få ser ikke magten i deres kærlighed for rigdomme før prøven sættes ind over for dem. Mange som bekender at være Kristi efterfølgere viser da at de ikke er beredte for himlen. Deres gerning vidner om at de elsker rigdomme mere end deres næste eller deres Gud. Lige som den rige unge mænd, spørger de efter vejen til livet; men når vejen udpeges og omkostningen vurderes og de er overbevist om at de må ofre deres jordiske rigdomme og blive rige i gode gerninger, beslutter de at himlen koster for meget. De større rigdomme samles på jorden og mere svært er det for ejeren at se at de ikke er hans eget, men lånt ham til brug for Guds herlighed.