- Foreword
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- Preparing to Meet Christ
- The Vision of the Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
- How the Light Came to the Prophet
- The Life and Work of Mrs. E. G. White
- Mrs. E. G. White as Others Knew Her
- Messages that Changed Lives
- The Vision that Could not Be Told
- The Testimonies and the Reader
- Practical Test of a Good Prophet
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- Chapter 2—The Time of The End
- Chapter 3—Prepare to Meet the Lord
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- Chapter 5—Christ Our Righteousness
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- Chapter 9—The Publications of the Church
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- Chapter 32—Music
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- Parents Must Agree
- The Danger of Too Severe Training
- To Allow Children to Grow Up in Ignorance Is a Sin
- The Evil of Idleness
- Parents, Lead Your Children to Christ
- Do Not Neglect the Wants of the Mind
- Never Correct a Child When Angry
- The Importance of Strict Honesty With Children
- The Importance of Character Development
- A Personal Experience in Counseling Children
- Parents’ Need of More Divine Guidance
- Teach Respect and Courtesy
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- The Church's Responsibility
- Moral Support of Our Institutions
- Teachers Under God
- Qualifications of a School Teacher
- The Bible in Christian Education
- Dangers in Sending Children to School Too Young
- Importance of Training in Duties of Practical Life
- The Dignity of Labor
- One's Mother Tongue Should Not Be Ignored
- The Works of Skeptics Forbidden by God
- The Results of Christian Education
- Student's Responsibility to Uphold His School
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- Chapter 39—The Importance of Cleanliness
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- “Of Every Man That Giveth It Willingly”
- Tithing Is Ordained by God
- The Privilege of Being a Co-laborer With God
- God Asks for One-tenth of the Increase He Gives
- God Evaluates Gifts by the Love Which Prompts the Sacrifice
- The Proper Disposition of Property
- “If Riches Increase, Set Not Your Heart Upon Them”
- A Pledge Made to God Is Binding and Sacred
- Offerings of Thanksgiving to Be Set Aside for the Poor
- Our Property and the Support of God's Work
- The Spirit of Self-denial and Sacrifice
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- Chapter 64—Christ Our Great High Priest
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The Spirit of Self-denial and Sacrifice
The plan of salvation was laid by the infinite sacrifice of the Son of God. The light of the gospel shining from the cross of Christ rebukes selfishness and encourages liberality and benevolence. It is not to 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. Worldliness and covetousness are eating out the vitals of God's people. They should understand that it is His mercy which multiplies the demands for their means. The angel of God places benevolent acts close beside prayer. He said to Cornelius: “Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.” Acts 10:4.519Testimonies for the Church 3:405CCh 281.6
Practice economy in your homes. By many, idols are cherished and worshiped. Put away your idols. Give up your selfish pleasures. Do not, I entreat you, absorb means in embellishing your houses, for it is God's money, and it will be required of you again. Parents, for Christ's sake do not use the Lord's money in pleasing the fancies of your children. Do not teach them to seek after style and ostentation in order to gain influence in the world. Will this incline them to save the souls for whom Christ died? No; it will create envy, jealousy, and evil surmising. Your children will be led to compete with the show and extravagance of the world, and to spend the Lord's money for that which is not essential to health or happiness.CCh 282.1
Do not educate your children to think that your love for them must be expressed by indulgence of their pride, extravagance, and love of display. There is no time now to invent ways for using up money. Use your inventive faculties in seeking to economize. Instead of gratifying selfish inclination, spending money for those things that destroy the reasoning faculties, study how to deny self, that you may have something to invest in lifting the standard of truth in new fields. The intellect is a talent; use it in studying how best to employ your means for the salvation of souls.520Testimonies for the Church 6:450, 451CCh 282.2
Those who deny self to do others good, and who devote themselves and all they have to Christ's service, will realize the happiness which the selfish man seeks for in vain. Said our Saviour: “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33. Charity “seeketh not her own.” This is the fruit of that disinterested love and benevolence which characterized the life of Christ. The law of God in our hearts will bring our own interests in subordination to high and eternal considerations.521Testimonies for the Church 3:397CCh 282.3