I was shown that it is a dangerous experiment for our people to engage in speculation. They thereby place themselves on the enemy’s ground, subject to great temptations, disappointments, trials, and losses. Then comes a feverish unrest, a longing desire to obtain means more rapidly than present circumstances will admit. Their surroundings are accordingly changed in hope of making more money. But frequently their expectations are not realized, and they become discouraged and go backward rather than forward. This has been the case with some in -----. They are backsliding from God. Had the Lord prospered some of our dear brethren in their speculations, it would have proved their eternal ruin. God loves His people, and He loves those who have been unfortunate. If they will learn the lessons which He intends to teach them, their defeat will in the end prove a precious victory. The love of the world has crowded out the love of Christ. When the rubbish is cleared away from the door of the heart, and it is thrown open in response to the invitation of Christ, He will come in and take possession of the soul-temple. Had these words of the apostle been more carefully regarded, much trial would have been saved: {4T 617.2}

Jeg fik vist at det er et farligt forsøg for vore folk at gå ind i spekulation. Derved sætter de sig selv på fjendens grund, bliver genstand for store fristelser, skuffelser, prøvelser og tab. Så kommer der en feberagtig ufred, en længsel efter at få midler hurtigere en de nuværende omstændigheder vil tillade. Deres omgivelser ændres derefter, i håbet for at lave flere penge. Men ofte bliver deres forventninger ikke ført ud i livet og de bliver skuffede og går det mere tilbage for dem end fremad. Dette har været tilfældet for nogle i ___. De er faldet fra Gud. Havde Herren begunstiget nogle af vore kære brødre, i deres spekulationer, ville det have vist sig at have været deres evige ruin. Gud elsker sit folk og han elsker dem, som har været uheldigt stillede. Hvis de vil lære de lektier som han har i sinde at lære dem, vil deres nederlag i sidste ende vise sig som dyrebar sejr. Verdenskærligheden har fortrængt Kristi kærlighed. Når affaldet er renset bort fra hjertets dør og den er (618) åbnet som svar på Kristi indbydelse, vil han komme ind og tage bolig i sjælstemplet. Var disse apostlens ord blevet agtet bedre, kunne mange prøvelser være sparet: