If professed Christians would use less of their wealth in adorning the body and in beautifying their own houses, and would consume less in extravagant, health-destroying luxuries upon their tables, they could place much larger sums in the treasury of God. They would thus imitate their Redeemer, who left heaven, His riches, and His glory, and for our sakes became poor, that we might have eternal riches. If we are too poor to faithfully render to God the tithes and offerings that He requires, we are certainly too poor to dress expensively and to eat luxuriously; for we thus waste our Lord’s money in hurtful indulgences to please and glorify ourselves. We should inquire diligently of ourselves: What treasure have we secured in the kingdom of God? Are we rich toward God? {3T 401.2}

Hvis de, der bekender sig til at være kristne, ville bruge mindre af deres formue til at pryde legemet og til at udsmykke deres egne huse og hvis de ville bruge mindre til overdådig, sundhedsnedbrydende luksus på deres borde, kunne de anbringe langt større summer i Guds forrådshus. Derved ville de efterligne deres Genløser, som forlod himmelen, forlod sin rigdom og herlighed og blev fattig for vor skyld, for at vi kunne opnå evig rigdom. Er vi for fattige til med troskab at bringe Gud den tiende og de gaver, han kræver, så er vi visselig også for fattige til at have kostbare klæder og til at spise overdådigt; for derved ødsler vi vor herres penge til skadelige nydelser for at behage og forherlige os selv. Vi bør ned flid spørge os selv: Hvilken skat har vi sikret os i Guds rige? Er vi rige i Gud?