The Lord would have His followers dispense their means while they can do it themselves. Some may inquire: “Must we actually dispossess ourselves of everything which we call our own?” We may not be required to do this now; but we must be willing to do so for Christ’s sake. We must acknowledge that our possessions are absolutely His, by using of them freely whenever means is needed to advance His cause. Some close their ears to the calls made for money to be used in sending missionaries to foreign countries and in publishing the truth and scattering it like autumn leaves all over the world. Such excuse their covetousness by informing you that they have made arrangements to be charitable at death. They have considered the cause of God in their wills. Therefore they live a life of avarice, robbing God in tithes and in offerings, and in their wills return to God but a small portion of that which He has lent them, while a very large proportion is appropriated to relatives who have no interest in the truth. This is the worst kind of robbery. They rob God of His just dues, not only all through life, but also at death. {4T 479.2}

Herren ønsker, at hans efterfølgere skal disponere over deres midler, medens de selv kan gøre det. Nogle vil måske spørge: "Må vi virkelig skille os af med alt, hvad vi kalder vort eget?" Det kræves måske ikke, at vi skal gøre dette nu; men vi må være villige til at gøre det for Kristi skyld. Ved villigt at yde af vort gods, når som helst der er trang til midler til hans sags fremme, bør vi erkende, at hvad vi besidder, absolut hører ham til. Nogle lukker deres ører til for bøn om penge til udsendelse af missionærer til fremmede lande, til udgivelse af skrifter og til disses udbredelse over hele verden. Sådanne undskylder deres begærlighed ved at meddele jer, at de har truffet foranstaltninger til, at vise godgørenhed, når de dør. De (480) har betænkt Guds sag i deres testamente. Derfor henlever de et liv i gerrighed og bedrager Gud med tienden og offergaverne og i deres testamenter giver de kun Gud en lille del tilbage af det, han har lånt dem, medens en meget stor del overlades til slægtninge, som ingen interesse har for sandheden. Dette er bedrageri af den værste slags. Ikke alene i deres levetid, men også i døden berøver de Gud, hvad der retmæssigt tilkommer ham.