- Foreword
- Ellen G. White A Brief Biographical Sketch
- Faith in God
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- Parental Responsibility
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- Treasure in Heaven
- The Shaking
- God's Proving
- Houses of Worship
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- Surety for Unbelievers
- Oath Taking
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- Our Denominational Name
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- The Future
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- The Prayer of David
- Proper Observance of the Sabbath
- Life Insurance
- Health and Religion
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- Wiles of Satan
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- Christian Zeal
- Responsibilities of the Young
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- Why God Reproves His Own People
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- Christian Recreation
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- Unbalanced Minds
- Faithfulness in Home Duties
- Vain Thoughts
- Consideration for the Erring
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- The Health Reform
- Danger of Applause
- Labor for the Erring
- Love and Duty
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- The Power of Prayer in Temptation
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- Worldly Interests and Heavenly Treasures
- The Galling Yoke of Selfishness
- The Parable of the Talents
- Self-Denial and Sacrifice
- The Tithing System
- Co-workers With God
- From the Days of Adam
- A Tenth of the Increase
- No Irksome Burden
- Treasure on Earth
- For Man's Benefit
- Accountability of the Poor
- A Caution to the Wealthy
- Undivided Allegiance
- The Blessing of Benevolence
- Into All the World
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- The Efficacy of Christ's Blood
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- Grafted Into Christ
- A Lesson in Humility
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- Duty of Parents to the College
- College Students
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- Faithful Workers
- Into the Maze of Skepticism
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- Simplicity in Dress
- The Wedding Ring
- Forming Character
Shackled by Earthly Possessions
I saw that many in different places, East and West, were adding farm to farm, and land to land, and house to house, and they make the cause of God their excuse, saying they do this that they may help the cause. They shackle themselves so that they can be of but little benefit to the cause. Some buy a piece of land, and labor with all their might to pay for it. Their time is so occupied that they can spare but little time to pray, and serve God, and gain strength from Him to overcome their besetments. They are in debt, and when the cause needs their help they cannot assist; for they must get free from debt first. But as soon as they are free from debt they are farther from helping the cause than before; for they again involve themselves by adding to their property. They flatter themselves that this course is right, that they will use the avails in the cause, when they are actually laying up treasure here. They love the truth in word, but not in work. They love the cause just as much as their works show. They love the world more and the cause of God less; the attraction to earth grows stronger and the attraction to heaven weaker. Their heart is with their treasure. By their example they say to those around them that they are intending to stay here, that this world is their home. Said the angel: “Thou art thy brother's keeper.”1TT 30.2
Many have indulged in needless expense, merely to gratify the feelings, the taste, and the eye, when the cause needed the very means thus used, and when some of the servants of God were poorly clothed and were crippled in their labor for lack of means. Said the angel: “Their time to do will soon be past. Their works show that self is their idol, and to it they sacrifice.” Self must first be gratified; their feeling is: “Am I my brother's keeper?” Warning after warning many have received, but heeded not. Self is the main object, and to it everything must bow.1TT 31.1
I saw that the church has nearly lost the spirit of self-denial and sacrifice; they make self and self-interest first, and then they do for the cause what they think they can as well as not. Such a sacrifice, I saw, is lame, and not accepted of God. All should be interested to do their utmost to advance the cause. I saw that those who have no property, but have strength of body, are accountable to God for their strength. They should be diligent in business and fervent in spirit; they should not leave those that have possessions to do all the sacrificing. I saw that they can sacrifice, and that it is their duty to do so, as well as those who have property. But often those that have no possessions do not realize that they can deny themselves in many ways, can lay out less upon their bodies, and to gratify their tastes and appetites, and find much to spare for the cause, and thus lay up a treasure in heaven. I saw that there is loveliness and beauty in the truth; but take away the power of God, and it is powerless.*Testimonies for the Church 1:1151TT 31.2