It is far better to yield some advantages that might be gained than to cultivate an avaricious spirit and thus make it a law of nature. Petty sharpness is unworthy of a Christian. We have been separated from the world by the great cleaver of truth. Our wrong traits of character are not always visible to ourselves, although they may be very apparent to others. But time and circumstances will surely prove us and bring to light the gold of character or discover the baser metal. Not one of us is known or read of all men, till the crucible of God tests us. Every base thought, every wrong action, reveals some defect in the character. These rugged traits must be brought under the chisel and hammer in God’s great workshop, and the grace of God must smooth and polish before we can be fitted for a place in the glorious temple. {4T 540.3}

Brødre, I er i fare for at begå alvorlige fejl i jeres forretninger. Gud ønsker at I skal være på vagt, for at I ikke rotter jer sammen. Vær forsigtige at I ikke bruger bedragerens taktik, for det vil ikke holde på Guds dag. Der er brug for skarpsindighed og nøje beregning, for I har med alle klasser at gøre; I må vogte vore institutioners interesser, ellers vil tusindvis dollars komme i hænderne på uærlige mennesker. Men lad ikke disse træk blive den herskende kraft. De er nødvendige egenskaber under behørig kontrol; og hvis I har gudsfrygten for øje og hans kærlighed i hjertet, vil I være sikre.