Strict Economy Called For

To carry this heavy financial load personally called for careful planning, strict economy, and at times some borrowing. “We are economizing every way possible,” she wrote from Australia in 1898. (Manuscript 173.) That the needs of the work of God were ever before her is indicated by the following:EGWMR 123.1

“I study every pound which I invest in buildings for myself, lest I shall in any way limit the resources which I can invest in the upbuilding of the cause of God. I do not regret that I have done this. We have seen some trying times, but amid all we say, ‘It pays.’”—Letter 130, 1897.EGWMR 123.2

To be pressed financially almost constantly was not pleasant, yet Mrs. White saw in it some benefits which she mentioned in 1895:EGWMR 123.3

“To be restricted for want of means is, as I can testify, a great inconvenience, but prosperity too often leads to self-exaltation.”—Manuscript 29, 1895.EGWMR 123.4

This economizing to advance the work went back to very early days. We have the story of how, when they lived at Rochester, New York, she saved means out of her allowance for household expenses. Then when a crisis arose in the publishing house, with paper to pay for and no money in the treasury, she brought out a stocking containing money that James White knew not of. The bill was paid, and the work went on.EGWMR 123.5

And so through their experience money was entrusted to Elder and Mrs. White and it was used, not for personal comfort or pleasure, but to advance the work and to help others. Her attitude toward this experience is revealed in 1888 in these words:EGWMR 123.6

“I do not begrudge a cent that I have put into the cause, and I have kept on until my husband and myself have about $30,000 invested in the cause of God. We did this a little at a time and the Lord saw that He could trust us with His means, and that we would not bestow it on ourselves. He kept pouring it in and we kept letting it out.”—Manuscript 3, 1888.EGWMR 123.7