I was shown that the probation of some in the vicinity of ----- was soon to close, and that it was important that their work be finished to God’s acceptance, that in the final settlement they might hear the “Well done” from the Master. I was also shown the inconsistency of those who profess to believe the truth withholding their means from the cause of God, that they may leave it for their children. Many fathers and mothers are poor in the midst of abundance. They abridge, in a degree, their own personal comforts and frequently deny themselves of those things that are necessary for the enjoyment of life and health, while they have ample means at their command. They feel forbidden, as it were, to appropriate their means for their own comfort or for charitable purposes. They have one object before them, and that is to save property to leave for their children. This idea is so prominent, so interwoven with all their actions, that their children learn to look forward to the time when this property will be theirs. They depend upon it, and this prospect has an important but not a favorable influence upon their characters. Some become spendthrifts, others become selfish and avaricious, and still others grow indolent and reckless. Many do not cultivate habits of economy; they do not seek to become self-reliant. They are aimless, and have but little stability of character. The impressions received in childhood and youth are wrought in the texture of character and become the principle of action in mature life. {3T 119.1}

Jeg fik vist at nogles prøvetid i ___området snart var til ende og at det var vigtigt at deres arbejde blev afsluttet til Guds behag, så de som den sidste udtalelse vil høre »Vel du gode og tro tjener.« fra Mesteren. Jeg fik også vist en uoverensstemmelse hos dem, som bekender sig til at tro sandheden. De tilbageholdte deres midler fra Guds sag, så de kunne efterlade dem til deres børn. Mange fædre og mødre er midt i deres overflod fattige. De begrænser i en grad deres personlige velvære og ofte fornægter sug selv ting der er nødvendige for livets og sundhedens nydelse, skønt de har rigelige midler at råde over. De føler det, så at sige, forbudt at give deres midler til deres eget behag eller til næsten. De har et mål for sig og det er at opspare ejendomme til deres børn. Denne tanke er så fremtrædende, så indvævet i alle deres handlinger, at deres børn lærer at se forud i tiden for hvornår de ejendomme vil være deres. De gør sig afhængig af det og denne udsigt har en vigtig men ikke gunstig indflydelse på deres karakter. Nogle kommer til at øde dem bort, andre bliver egenkærlige og griske og endnu andre bliver ligegyldige og rastløse. Mange opelsker ikke sparsommelighedens vane, de søger ikke efter selvtillid. De er hjælpeløse og har kun lidt karakterfasthed. Det præg de fik i barndommen og ungdommen dannes i karakterens sammensætning og bliver grundlaget for det modne liv.