The light of the gospel shining from the cross of Christ rebukes selfishness and encourages liberality and benevolence. It should not be a lamented fact that there are increasing calls to give. God in His providence is calling His people out from their limited sphere of action, to enter upon greater enterprises. Unlimited effort is demanded at this time when moral darkness is covering the world. Many of God’s people are in danger of being ensnared by worldliness and covetousness. They should understand that it is His mercy that multiplies the demands for their means. Objects that call benevolence into action must be placed before them, or they cannot pattern after the character of the great Exemplar. {9T 254.3}

Evangeliets lys, som skinner ud fra Kristi kors, bebrejder selviskhed og opmuntrer gavmildhed og godgørenhed. Man skal ikke beklage den kendsgerning, at der er et voksende kald til at give. I sit forsyn kalder Gud sit folk ud fra deres begrænsede virkefelt for at få dem til at gå i gang med større foretagender. Der kræves ubegrænset indsats i denne tid, hvor det moralske mørke dækker jorden. Mange af Guds folk står i fare for at blive besnæret af verdslighed og begærlighed. De skulle forså, at det er hans barmhjertighed, der mangedobler behovet for deres midler. Foretagender, som kalder på deres godgørenhed, må fremholdes for dem, for ellers kan de ikke efterligne det store forbilledes karakter.