But many, when they begin to gather earthly riches, commence to calculate how long it will be before they can be in possession of a certain sum. In their anxiety to amass wealth for themselves they fail to become rich toward God. Their benevolence does not keep pace with their accumulation. As their passion for riches increases, their affections are bound up with their treasure. The increase of their property strengthens the eager desire for more, until some consider that their giving to the Lord a tenth is a severe and unjust tax. Inspiration has said: “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” Many have said: “If I were as rich as such a one, I would multiply my gifts to the treasury of God. I would do nothing else with my wealth but use it for the advancement of the cause of God.” God has tested some of these by giving them riches, but with the riches came the fiercer temptation, and their benevolence was far less than in the days of their poverty. A grasping desire for greater riches absorbed their minds and hearts, and they committed idolatry. {3T 403.1}

Men når de tager fat på at samle jordisk rigdom, er der mange, som begynder at regne efter, hvor længe det vil vare, før de kan være i besiddelse af et vist beløb. I deres bekymring for at ophobe rigdom til sig selv opnår de ikke at blive rige i Gud. Deres godgørenhed holder ikke trit med deres erhvervelser. Efter som deres higen efter rigdom tiltager, knyttes deres sind til deres skat. Forøgelsen af deres ejendom styrker deres begærlige attrå efter mere, indtil nogle betragter ydelsen af en tiendedel til Herren som en tung og uretfærdig byrde. Det inspirerede ord har sagt: »Om rigdommen vokser, agt ikke derpå!« Mange har sagt: »Var jeg så rig som han, ville jeg mangedoble mine gaver til Guds forrådshus. Jeg ville ikke bruge min rigdom til andet end Guds sags fremme.« Gud har prøvet nogle af disse ved at give dem rigdom; men med rigdommen kom den stærkere fristelse og deres godgørenhed blev langt mindre end i fattigdommens dage. Et begærligt ønske om større rigdom optog deres sind og hjerte og de bedrev afguderi.