We are not to feel that we can do or give anything that will entitle us to the favor of God. Says the apostle: “What hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” When David and the people of Israel had gathered together the material they had prepared for the building of the temple, the king, as he committed the treasure to the princes of the congregation, rejoiced and gave thanks to God in words that should ever dwell in the hearts of God’s people. “David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be Thou Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine.... And in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee. For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build Thee an house for Thine holy name cometh of Thine hand, and is all Thine own. I know also, my God, that Thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy Thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto Thee.” {5T 735.2}

Når store planer lægges, må det være med stor omhu, for at værket i alle sagens grene forenes harmonisk med alle andre og derved gøre et fuldkomment hele. Men for ofte har det været det modsatte; og, som følge deraf, har arbejdet været mangelfuldt. Et menneske som har oversigt over en gren i værket, overdriver sine ansvar indtil den afdeling, efter hans forestilling er over alle andre. Når der tages et så snævert syn, udøves der en stærk indflydelse på at få andre til at se sagen i samme lys. Dette er menneskeligt, men det er ikke Kristi Ånd. I samme forhold som denne politik føres, trænges Kristus ud af værket og selvet synes fremtrædende.