The very blessings which God has given to these men to prove them, to see if they will render “unto God the things that are God’s,” they use as an excuse that they cannot obey the claims of truth. They have grasped their earthly treasure in their arms and say, “I must take care of these things; I must not neglect the things of this life; these things are mine.” Thus the hearts of these men have become as unimpressible as the beaten highway. They close the door of their hearts to the heavenly messenger, who says, “Come; for all things are now ready,” and throw it open, inviting the entrance of the world’s burden and business cares, and Jesus knocks in vain for admittance. {3T 384.1}

De selv samme velsignelser, Gud har givet disse mænd for at prøve dem, for at se, om de vil give »Gud, hvad Guds er«, bruger de som en undskyldning for, at de ikke kan lyde sandhedens Krav, De har grebet deres jordiske skatte i deres arme og siger: »Jeg må tage vare på disse ting; jeg kan ikke forsømme det, som hører dette liv til; disse ting er mine.« Derved er disse mænds hjerter blevet lige så hårde og upåvirkelige som den tiltrådte landevej. De lukker deres hjerter til for det himmelske sendebud, der siger: "Kom! for nu er det rede" og lukker op og byder verdens byrder og forretningsbekymringer komme ind, medens Jesus forgæves banker på for at få adgang.