We are enjoined by Christ to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is our first and highest duty. Our Master expressly warned His servants not to lay up treasures upon the earth; for in so doing their hearts would be upon earthly rather than heavenly things. Here is where many poor souls have made shipwreck of faith. They have gone directly contrary to the express injunction of our Lord, and have allowed the love of money to become the ruling passion of their lives. They are intemperate in their efforts to acquire means. They are as much intoxicated with their insane desire for riches as is the inebriate with his liquor. {3T 397.2}

Kristus pålægger os først at søge Guds rige og hans retfærdighed. Dette er vor første og højeste pligt. Mesteren advarede udtrykkelig sine tjenere imod at samle sig skatte på jorden, for ved at gøre dette vil deres hjerter komme til at dvæle ved jordiske i stedet for himmelske ting. Her er det, mange stakkels sjæle har lidt (398) skibbrud på troen. De har handlet lige stik imod vor herres udtrykkelige påbud og ladet pengekærlighed blive en herskende lidenskab i deres liv. De holder ikke måde i deres anstrengelser for at erhverve midler. De er lige så berusede af deres vanvittige attrå efter rigdom, som drankeren er af sin brændevin.