Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5

Chapter 13—Will a Man Rob God?

The Lord has made the diffusion of light and truth in the earth dependent on the voluntary efforts and offerings of those who have been partakers of the heavenly gifts. Comparatively few are called to travel as ministers or missionaries, but multitudes are to co-operate in spreading the truth with their means. 5T 148.2

The history of Ananias and Sapphira is given us that we may understand the sin of deception in regard to our gifts and offerings. They had voluntarily promised to give a portion of their property for the promotion of the cause of Christ; but when the means was in their hands they declined to fulfill that obligation, at the same time wishing it to appear to others that they had given all. Their punishment was marked in order that it might serve as a perpetual warning to Christians of all ages. The same sin is fearfully prevalent at the present time, yet we hear of no such signal punishment. The Lord shows men once with what abhorrence He regards such an offense against His sacred claims and dignity, and then they are left to follow the general principles of the divine administration. 5T 148.3

Voluntary offerings and the tithe constitute the revenue of the gospel. Of the means which is entrusted to man, God claims a certain portion—a tithe; but He leaves all free to say how much the tithe is, and whether or not they will give more than this. They are to give as they purpose in their hearts. But when the heart is stirred by the influence of the Spirit of God, and a vow is made to give a certain amount, the one who vowed has no longer any right to the consecrated portion. He has given his pledge before men, and they are called to witness to the transaction. At the same time he has incurred an obligation of the most sacred character to co-operate with the Lord in building up His kingdom on earth. Promises of this kind made to men would be considered binding. Are they not more sacred and binding when made to God? Are promises tried in the court of conscience less binding than written agreements with men? 5T 149.1

When the divine light is shining into the heart with unusual clearness and power, habitual selfishness relaxes its grasp, and there is a disposition to give to the cause of God. None need expect that they will be allowed to fulfill the promises then made without a protest on the part of Satan. He is not pleased to see the Redeemer's kingdom on earth built up. He suggests that the pledge made was too much, that it may cripple them in their efforts to acquire property or gratify the desires of their families. The power Satan has over the human mind is wonderful. He labors most earnestly to keep the heart bound up in self. 5T 149.2

The only means which God has ordained to advance His cause is to bless men with property. He gives them the sunshine and the rain; He causes vegetation to flourish; He gives health and ability to acquire means. All our blessings come from His bountiful hand. In turn He would have men and women show their gratitude by returning Him a portion in tithes and offerings—in thank offerings, in freewill offerings, in trespass offerings. 5T 150.1

The hearts of men become hardened through selfishness, and, like Ananias and Sapphira, they are tempted to withhold part of the price while pretending to come up to the rules of tithing. Will a man rob God? Should means flow into the treasury exactly according to God's plan,—a tenth of all the increase,—there would be abundance to carry forward His work. 5T 150.2

Well, says one, the calls keep coming to give to the cause; I am weary of giving. Are you? Then let me ask: Are you weary of receiving from God's beneficent hand? Not until He ceases to bless you will you cease to be under bonds to return to Him the portion He claims. He blesses you that it may be in your power to bless others. When you are weary of receiving, then you may say: I am weary of so many calls to give. God reserves to Himself a portion of all that we receive. When this is returned to Him, the remaining portion is blessed, but when it is withheld, the whole is sooner or later cursed. God's claim is first; every other is secondary. 5T 150.3

In every church there should be established a treasury for the poor. Then let each member present a thank offering to God once a week or once a month, as is most convenient. This offering will express our gratitude for the gifts of health, of food, and of comfortable clothing. And according as God has blessed us with these comforts will we lay by for the poor, the suffering, and the distressed. I would call the attention of our brethren especially to this point. Remember the poor. Forego some of your luxuries, yea, even comforts, and help those who can obtain only the most meager food and clothing. In doing for them you are doing for Jesus in the person of His saints. He identifies Himself with suffering humanity. Do not wait until your imaginary wants are all satisfied. Do not trust to your feelings and give when you feel like it and withhold when you do not feel like it. Give regularly, either ten, twenty, or fifty cents a week, as you would like to see upon the heavenly record in the day of God. 5T 150.4

Your good wishes we will thank you for, but the poor cannot keep comfortable on good wishes alone. They must have tangible proofs of your kindness in food and clothing. God does not mean that any of His followers should beg for bread. He has given you an abundance that you may supply those of their necessities which by industry and economy they are not able to supply. Do not wait for them to call your attention to their needs. Act as did Job. The thing that he knew not he searched out. Go on an inspecting tour and learn what is needed and how it can be best supplied. 5T 151.1

I have been shown that many of our people are robbing the Lord in tithes and in offerings, and as the result His work is greatly hindered. The curse of God will rest upon those who are living upon God's bounties and yet close their hearts and do nothing or next to nothing to advance His cause. Brethren and sisters, how can the beneficent Father continue to make you His stewards, furnishing you with means to use for Him, when you grasp it all, selfishly claiming that it is yours! 5T 151.2

Instead of rendering to God the means He has placed in their hands, many invest it in more land. This evil is growing with our brethren. They had before all they could well care for, but the love of money or a desire to be counted as well off as their neighbors leads them to bury their means in the world and withhold from God His just dues. Can we be surprised if they are not prospered? if God does not bless their crops and they are disappointed? Could our brethren remember that God can bless twenty acres of land and make them as productive as one hundred, they would not continue to bury themselves in lands, but would let their means flow into God's treasury. “Take heed,” said Christ, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life.” Satan is pleased to have you increase your farms and invest your means in worldly enterprises, for by so doing you not only hinder the cause from advancing, but by anxiety and overwork lessen your prospect for eternal life. 5T 151.3

We ought now to be heeding the injunction of our Saviour: “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not.” It is now that our brethren should be cutting down their possessions instead of increasing them. We are about to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Then let us not be dwellers upon the earth, but be getting things into as compact a compass as possible. 5T 152.1

The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. We came near having this realized in California a short time since; but this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds. As yet they are held by the four angels. We are not just ready. There is a work yet to be done, and then the angels will be bidden to let go, that the four winds may blow upon the earth. That will be a decisive time for God's children, a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Now is our opportunity to work. 5T 152.2

There is among many professing the truth a spirit of unrest. Some want to go to another county or state, buy large lands, and carry on an extensive business; others want to go into the city. Thus little churches are left in weakness and discouragement to die, when, had the ones who left them been content to work on a smaller scale, doing their little with fidelity, they might have made their families comfortable and been free to keep their own souls in the love of God. Many who move are disappointed. They lose what little property they had, lose health, and finally give up the truth. 5T 152.3

The Lord is coming. Let everyone show his faith by his works. Faith in Christ's near advent is dying out of the churches, and selfishness is causing them to rob God to serve their own personal interests. When Christ is abiding in us, we shall be self-denying like Him. 5T 153.1

In times past there has been great liberality on the part of our people. They have not been backward to respond to calls for help in the various branches of the work. But of late a change has come. There has been, especially with our Eastern brethren, a withholding of means, while worldliness and love of possessions have been increasing. There is a growing disregard of promises made to help our various institutions and enterprises. Subscriptions to build a church, to endow a college, or to assist in the missionary work are looked upon as promises which persons are under no obligation to fulfill if it is not convenient. These promises were made under the holy impressions of the Spirit of God. Then do not rob Him by withholding what rightfully belongs to Him. Brethren and sisters, look over your past life and see if you have dealt faithfully with God. Have you any unredeemed pledges? If so, resolve that you will pay them if it is within your power. 5T 153.2

Listen to the counsel of the Lord: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, ... if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field.” “And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land.” 5T 153.3

Are you not willing to accept the promises which the Lord here makes and to put selfishness from you and begin to work earnestly to advance His cause? Do not strengthen your hold on this world by taking advantage of your poorer neighbor, for God's eye is upon you; He reads every motive and weighs you in the balances of the sanctuary. 5T 154.1

I saw that many withhold from the cause while they live, quieting their consciences that they will be charitable at death; they hardly dare exercise faith and trust in God to give anything while living. But this deathbed charity is not what Christ requires of His followers; it cannot excuse the selfishness of the living. Those who hold fast their property till the last moment, surrender it to death rather than to the cause. Losses are occurring continually. Banks fail, and property is consumed in very many ways. Many purpose to do something, but they delay the matter, and Satan works to prevent the means from coming into the treasury at all. It is lost before it is returned to God, and Satan exults that it is so. 5T 154.2

If you would do good with your means, do it at once lest Satan get it in his hands and thus hinder the work of God. Many times, when the Lord has opened the way for brethren to handle their means to advance His cause, the agents of Satan have presented some enterprise by which they were positive the brethren could double their means. They take the bait; their money is invested, and the cause, and frequently themselves, never receive a dollar. 5T 154.3

Brethren, remember the cause; and when you have means at your command lay up for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life. Jesus for your sakes became poor, that you through His poverty might be made rich in heavenly treasure. What will you give for Jesus, who has given all for you? 5T 154.4

It will not do for you to depend on making your charity gifts in testamentary bequests at death. You cannot calculate with the least degree of surety that the cause will ever be benefited by them. Satan works with acute skill to stir up the relatives, and every false position is taken to gain to the world that which was solemnly dedicated to the cause of God. Much less than the sum willed is always received. Satan even puts it into the hearts of men and women to protest against their relatives’ doing what they wish in the bestowment of their property. They seem to regard everything given to the Lord as robbing the relatives of the deceased. If you want your means to go to the cause, appropriate it, or all that you do not really need for a support, while you live. A few of the brethren are doing this and enjoying the pleasure of being their own executors. Will the covetousness of men make it necessary that they shall be deprived of life in order that the property which God has lent them shall not be useless forever? Let none of you draw upon yourselves the doom of the unprofitable servant who hid his Lord's money in the earth. 5T 155.1

Dying charity is a poor substitute for living benevolence. Many will to their friends and relatives all except a very small pittance of their property. This they leave for their supreme Friend, who became poor for their sakes, who suffered insult, mockery, and death, that they might become sons and daughters of God. And yet they expect when the righteous dead shall come forth to immortal life that this Friend will take them into His everlasting habitations. 5T 155.2

The cause of Christ is robbed, not by a mere passing thought, not by an unpremeditated act. No. By your own deliberate act you made your will, placing your property at the disposal of unbelievers. After having robbed God during your lifetime, you continue to rob Him after your death, and you do this with the full consent of all your powers of mind, in a document called your will. What do you think will be your Master's will toward you for thus appropriating His goods? What will you say when an account is demanded of your stewardship? 5T 155.3

Brethren, awake from your life of selfishness, and act like consistent Christians. The Lord requires you to economize your means and let every dollar not needed for your comfort flow into the treasury. Sisters, take that ten cents, that twenty cents, that dollar which you were about to spend for candies, for ruffles, or for ribbons, and donate it to God's cause. Many of our sisters earn good wages, but it is nearly all spent in gratifying their pride of dress. 5T 156.1

The wants of the cause will continually increase as we near the close of time. Means is needed to give young men a short course of study in our schools, to prepare them for efficient work in the ministry and in different branches of the cause. We are not coming up to our privilege in this matter. All schools among us will soon be closed up. How much more might have been done had men obeyed the requirements of Christ in Christian beneficence! What an influence would this readiness to give all for Christ have had upon the world! It would have been one of the most convincing arguments in favor of the truth we profess to believe—an argument which the world could not misunderstand nor gainsay. The Lord would have distinguished us with His blessing even before the eyes of the world. 5T 156.2

The first Christian church had not the privileges and opportunities we have. They were a poor people, but they felt the power of the truth. The object before them was sufficient to lead them to invest all. They felt that the salvation or the loss of a world depended upon their instrumentality. They cast in their all and held themselves in readiness to go or come at the Lord's bidding. 5T 156.3

We profess to be governed by the same principles, to be influenced by the same spirit. But instead of giving all for Christ many have taken the golden wedge and a goodly Babylonish garment and hid them in the camp. If the presence of one Achan was sufficient to weaken the whole camp of Israel, can we be surprised at the little success which attends our efforts when every church and almost every family has its Achan? Let us individually go to work to stimulate others by our example of disinterested benevolence. The work might have gone forward with far greater power had all done what they could to supply the treasury with means. 5T 157.1

*****

113 5T Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5 [{"para_id":"113.3","title":"The Times of Volume Five","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0003_eng_f_the_times_of_volume_five_113_7.mp3#duration=691&size=5618124"},{"para_id":"113.34","title":"Chapter 1\u2014Camp Meeting Address Boulder, Colorado, September 25, 1881","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0005_eng_f_chapter_1_camp_meeting_address_boulder_colorado_september_25_1881_113_35.mp3#duration=943&size=7627014"},{"para_id":"113.68","title":"Responsibility of Ministers","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0006_eng_f_responsibility_of_ministers_113_68.mp3#duration=911&size=7373524"},{"para_id":"113.96","title":"Chapter 2\u2014Our College","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0007_eng_f_chapter_2_our_college_113_96.mp3#duration=401&size=3292534"},{"para_id":"113.113","title":"The Bible as a Textbook","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0008_eng_f_the_bible_as_a_textbook_113_113.mp3#duration=444&size=3637711"},{"para_id":"113.131","title":"Object of the 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Faultfinding Condemned","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0015_eng_f_chapter_7_jealousy_and_faultfinding_condemned_113_468.mp3#duration=621&size=5051114"},{"para_id":"113.491","title":"Chapter 8\u2014The Day of the Lord at Hand","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0016_eng_f_chapter_8_the_day_of_the_lord_at_hand_113_491.mp3#duration=1052&size=8506776"},{"para_id":"113.533","title":"Chapter 9\u2014Unwise Marriages","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0017_eng_f_chapter_9_unwise_marriages_113_533.mp3#duration=1208&size=9752564"},{"para_id":"113.573","title":"Chapter 10\u2014Warnings and Reproofs","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0018_eng_f_chapter_10_warnings_and_reproofs_113_573.mp3#duration=1093&size=8833286"},{"para_id":"113.608","title":"Dangers of the Young","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0019_eng_f_dangers_of_the_young_113_608.mp3#duration=1597&size=12863562"},{"para_id":"113.658","title":"Chapter 11\u2014Laborers for God","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0020_eng_f_chapter_11_laborers_for_god_113_658.mp3#duration=761&size=6171717"},{"para_id":"113.687","title":"Chapter 12\u2014Agents of Satan","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0021_eng_f_chapter_12_agents_of_satan_113_687.mp3#duration=1605&size=12930377"},{"para_id":"113.739","title":"Chapter 13\u2014Will a Man Rob God?","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0022_eng_f_chapter_13_will_a_man_rob_god_113_739.mp3#duration=1297&size=10459987"},{"para_id":"113.787","title":"Chapter 14\u2014Power of the Truth","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0023_eng_f_chapter_14_power_of_the_truth_113_787.mp3#duration=776&size=6292577"},{"para_id":"113.815","title":"Chapter 15\u2014Our Camp Meetings","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0024_eng_f_chapter_15_our_camp_meetings_113_815.mp3#duration=712&size=5781412"},{"para_id":"113.842","title":"Chapter 16\u2014Brotherly Love","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0025_eng_f_chapter_16_brotherly_love_113_842.mp3#duration=1560&size=12569401"},{"para_id":"113.896","title":"Chapter 17\u2014Diligence in Business","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0026_eng_f_chapter_17_diligence_in_business_113_896.mp3#duration=601&size=4897595"},{"para_id":"113.920","title":"Chapter 18\u2014Moving to Battle Creek","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0027_eng_f_chapter_18_moving_to_battle_creek_113_920.mp3#duration=806&size=6537673"},{"para_id":"113.956","title":"Chapter 19\u2014Worldliness in the Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0028_eng_f_chapter_19_worldliness_in_the_church_113_956.mp3#duration=462&size=3780718"},{"para_id":"113.977","title":"Chapter 20\u2014Shall We Consult Spiritualist Physicians?","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0029_eng_f_chapter_20_shall_we_consult_spiritualist_physicians_113_977.mp3#duration=1332&size=10739665"},{"para_id":"113.1021","title":"Chapter 21\u2014Looking Unto Jesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0030_eng_f_chapter_21_looking_unto_jesus_113_1021.mp3#duration=372&size=3062084"},{"para_id":"113.1037","title":"Chapter 22\u2014Calls for Laborers","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0031_eng_f_chapter_22_calls_for_laborers_113_1037.mp3#duration=810&size=6568385"},{"para_id":"113.1062","title":"Chapter 23\u2014The Seal of God","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0032_eng_f_chapter_23_the_seal_of_god_113_1062.mp3#duration=1380&size=11128280"},{"para_id":"113.1113","title":"Chapter 24\u2014An Appeal","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0033_eng_f_chapter_24_an_appeal_113_1113.mp3#duration=2878&size=23109670"},{"para_id":"113.1216","title":"Chapter 25\u2014Christian Unity","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0034_eng_f_chapter_25_christian_unity_113_1216.mp3#duration=1870&size=15045297"},{"para_id":"113.1278","title":"Chapter 26\u2014The Work of the Gospel Minister","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0036_eng_f_chapter_26_the_work_of_the_gospel_minister_113_1279.mp3#duration=898&size=7268948"},{"para_id":"113.1303","title":"Ministers as Educators","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0037_eng_f_ministers_as_educators_113_1303.mp3#duration=656&size=5337184"},{"para_id":"113.1320","title":"Duty to Reprove Money Lovers","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0038_eng_f_duty_to_reprove_money_lovers_113_1320.mp3#duration=851&size=6894029"},{"para_id":"113.1343","title":"Chapter 27\u2014Christian Growth","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0039_eng_f_chapter_27_christian_growth_113_1343.mp3#duration=702&size=5701753"},{"para_id":"113.1362","title":"Tithes and Offerings","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0040_eng_f_tithes_and_offerings_113_1362.mp3#duration=799&size=6481545"},{"para_id":"113.1385","title":"Chapter 28\u2014Faithfulness in the Work of God","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0041_eng_f_chapter_28_faithfulness_in_the_work_of_god_113_1385.mp3#duration=1607&size=12940217"},{"para_id":"113.1425","title":"Vowing and Not Paying","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0042_eng_f_vowing_and_not_paying_113_1425.mp3#duration=597&size=4865984"},{"para_id":"113.1444","title":"Chapter 29\u2014Influence of Unbelief","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0043_eng_f_chapter_29_influence_of_unbelief_113_1444.mp3#duration=554&size=4517789"},{"para_id":"113.1462","title":"Chapter 30\u2014Deceitfulness of Sin","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0044_eng_f_chapter_30_deceitfulness_of_sin_113_1462.mp3#duration=1428&size=11509682"},{"para_id":"113.1504","title":"Chapter 31\u2014Criticizing Ministers","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0045_eng_f_chapter_31_criticizing_ministers_113_1504.mp3#duration=720&size=5842919"},{"para_id":"113.1525","title":"Chapter 32\u2014Fidelity and Perseverance Needed","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0046_eng_f_chapter_32_fidelity_and_perseverance_needed_113_1525.mp3#duration=1179&size=9517392"},{"para_id":"113.1564","title":"Chapter 33\u2014Sinfulness of Repining","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0047_eng_f_chapter_33_sinfulness_of_repining_113_1564.mp3#duration=881&size=7132256"},{"para_id":"113.1594","title":"Chapter 34\u2014\u201cPraise Ye The Lord\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0048_eng_f_chapter_34_praise_ye_the_lord_113_1594.mp3#duration=631&size=5132294"},{"para_id":"113.1614","title":"Chapter 35\u2014Parental Responsibility","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0049_eng_f_chapter_35_parental_responsibility_113_1614.mp3#duration=648&size=5270058"},{"para_id":"113.1635","title":"Chapter 36\u2014The Training of Children","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0050_eng_f_chapter_36_the_training_of_children_113_1635.mp3#duration=1274&size=10280318"},{"para_id":"113.1673","title":"Chapter 37\u2014Christian Forbearance","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0051_eng_f_chapter_37_christian_forbearance_113_1673.mp3#duration=773&size=6271587"},{"para_id":"113.1696","title":"Chapter 38\u2014Worldly Ambition","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0052_eng_f_chapter_38_worldly_ambition_113_1696.mp3#duration=824&size=6676057"},{"para_id":"113.1722","title":"Chapter 39\u2014Love Among Brethren","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0053_eng_f_chapter_39_love_among_brethren_113_1722.mp3#duration=1161&size=9371897"},{"para_id":"113.1753","title":"Chapter 40\u2014Redeeming the Time","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0054_eng_f_chapter_40_redeeming_the_time_113_1753.mp3#duration=839&size=6797735"},{"para_id":"113.1779","title":"Chapter 41\u2014The Manufacture of Wine and Cider","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0055_eng_f_chapter_41_the_manufacture_of_wine_and_cider_113_1779.mp3#duration=1206&size=9737089"},{"para_id":"113.1815","title":"Chapter 42\u2014Marriage with Unbelievers","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0056_eng_f_chapter_42_marriage_with_unbelievers_113_1815.mp3#duration=1058&size=8547151"},{"para_id":"113.1850","title":"Chapter 43\u2014The Support of City Missions","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0057_eng_f_chapter_43_the_support_of_city_missions_113_1850.mp3#duration=2597&size=20866924"},{"para_id":"113.1921","title":"Chapter 44\u2014The True Missionary Spirit","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0058_eng_f_chapter_44_the_true_missionary_spirit_113_1921.mp3#duration=805&size=6526647"},{"para_id":"113.1945","title":"Chapter 45\u2014Young Men as Missionaries","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0059_eng_f_chapter_45_young_men_as_missionaries_113_1945.mp3#duration=937&size=7584909"},{"para_id":"113.1976","title":"Chapter 46\u2014Importance of the Canvassing Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0060_eng_f_chapter_46_importance_of_the_canvassing_work_113_1976.mp3#duration=1627&size=13101593"},{"para_id":"113.2026","title":"Chapter 47\u2014The Publishing Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0061_eng_f_chapter_47_the_publishing_work_113_2026.mp3#duration=968&size=7831349"},{"para_id":"113.2056","title":"Importance of Economy","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0062_eng_f_importance_of_economy_113_2056.mp3#duration=593&size=4829153"},{"para_id":"113.2074","title":"Unity of the Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0063_eng_f_unity_of_the_work_113_2074.mp3#duration=930&size=7526331"},{"para_id":"113.2100","title":"Chapter 48\u2014Business and Religion","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0064_eng_f_chapter_48_business_and_religion_113_2100.mp3#duration=1189&size=9599995"},{"para_id":"113.2133","title":"Chapter 49\u2014Worldly-Mindedness a Snare","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0065_eng_f_chapter_49_worldly_mindedness_a_snare_113_2133.mp3#duration=1539&size=12396338"},{"para_id":"113.2176","title":"Chapter 50\u2014Responsibilities of the Physician","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0066_eng_f_chapter_50_responsibilities_of_the_physician_113_2176.mp3#duration=1746&size=14055852"},{"para_id":"113.2223","title":"Chapter 51\u2014The Coming Crisis","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0067_eng_f_chapter_51_the_coming_crisis_113_2223.mp3#duration=808&size=6554173"},{"para_id":"113.2249","title":"Chapter 52\u2014The Church the Light of the World","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0068_eng_f_chapter_52_the_church_the_light_of_the_world_113_2249.mp3#duration=2103&size=16907161"},{"para_id":"113.2304","title":"Chapter 53\u2014Joshua and the Angel","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0069_eng_f_chapter_53_joshua_and_the_angel_113_2304.mp3#duration=1479&size=11919580"},{"para_id":"113.2346","title":"Chapter 54\u2014Unity and Love in the Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0071_eng_f_chapter_54_unity_and_love_in_the_church_113_2347.mp3#duration=442&size=3623096"},{"para_id":"113.2362","title":"Guarding the Interests of Brethren","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0072_eng_f_guarding_the_interests_of_brethren_113_2362.mp3#duration=1696&size=13652399"},{"para_id":"113.2411","title":"Chapter 55\u2014Behavior in the House of God","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0073_eng_f_chapter_55_behavior_in_the_house_of_god_113_2411.mp3#duration=1433&size=11553067"},{"para_id":"113.2452","title":"Chapter 56\u2014Religion and Scientific Education","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0074_eng_f_chapter_56_religion_and_scientific_education_113_2452.mp3#duration=604&size=4914335"},{"para_id":"113.2471","title":"Chapter 57\u2014The Education of Our Children","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0075_eng_f_chapter_57_the_education_of_our_children_113_2471.mp3#duration=391&size=3216481"},{"para_id":"113.2485","title":"Chapter 58\u2014Dangers of the Young","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0076_eng_f_chapter_58_dangers_of_the_young_113_2485.mp3#duration=731&size=5931885"},{"para_id":"113.2509","title":"The Exercise of the Will","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0077_eng_f_the_exercise_of_the_will_113_2509.mp3#duration=501&size=4094175"},{"para_id":"113.2525","title":"Chapter 59\u2014Suitable Reading for Children","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0078_eng_f_chapter_59_suitable_reading_for_children_113_2525.mp3#duration=641&size=5213272"},{"para_id":"113.2546","title":"Chapter 60\u2014Advice to the Young","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0079_eng_f_chapter_60_advice_to_the_young_113_2546.mp3#duration=884&size=7156713"},{"para_id":"113.2573","title":"Examples of Heroic Fidelity to God","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0080_eng_f_examples_of_heroic_fidelity_to_god_113_2573.mp3#duration=252&size=2104240"},{"para_id":"113.2582","title":"An Educated Ministry","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0081_eng_f_an_educated_ministry_113_2582.mp3#duration=197&size=1664324"},{"para_id":"113.2588","title":"Chapter 61\u2014Worldly-Mindedness","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0082_eng_f_chapter_61_worldly_mindedness_113_2588.mp3#duration=458&size=3748691"},{"para_id":"113.2602","title":"Chapter 62\u2014Practical Godliness","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0083_eng_f_chapter_62_practical_godliness_113_2602.mp3#duration=1485&size=11966192"},{"para_id":"113.2648","title":"Chapter 63\u2014\u201cYour Reasonable Service\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0084_eng_f_chapter_63_your_reasonable_service_113_2648.mp3#duration=141&size=1216089"},{"para_id":"113.2655","title":"Chapter 64\u2014Worldly Influences","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0085_eng_f_chapter_64_worldly_influences_113_2655.mp3#duration=1082&size=8742181"},{"para_id":"113.2688","title":"Chapter 65\u2014Needs of Our Institutions","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0086_eng_f_chapter_65_needs_of_our_institutions_113_2688.mp3#duration=856&size=6935678"},{"para_id":"113.2709","title":"Chapter 66\u2014Our Institutions at Battle Creek","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0087_eng_f_chapter_66_our_institutions_at_battle_creek_113_2709.mp3#duration=84&size=758902"},{"para_id":"113.2711","title":"The College","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0088_eng_f_the_college_113_2711.mp3#duration=167&size=1420436"},{"para_id":"113.2718","title":"Qualifications of Managers","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0089_eng_f_qualifications_of_managers_113_2718.mp3#duration=400&size=3288252"},{"para_id":"113.2732","title":"Chapter 67\u2014Board Meetings","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0090_eng_f_chapter_67_board_meetings_113_2732.mp3#duration=366&size=3012820"},{"para_id":"113.2744","title":"Worldly Policy","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0091_eng_f_worldly_policy_113_2744.mp3#duration=236&size=1976902"},{"para_id":"113.2751","title":"Royalties on Books","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0092_eng_f_royalties_on_books_113_2751.mp3#duration=717&size=5824870"},{"para_id":"113.2777","title":"Chapter 68\u2014Christian Influence in the Home and the Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0093_eng_f_chapter_68_christian_influence_in_the_home_and_the_church_113_2777.mp3#duration=575&size=4683267"},{"para_id":"113.2793","title":"Chapter 69\u2014An Impressive Dream","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0094_eng_f_chapter_69_an_impressive_dream_113_2793.mp3#duration=280&size=2326954"},{"para_id":"113.2804","title":"Chapter 70\u2014Daily Study of the Bible Necessary","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0095_eng_f_chapter_70_daily_study_of_the_bible_necessary_113_2804.mp3#duration=1032&size=8339562"},{"para_id":"113.2831","title":"Chapter 71\u2014Education of Workers","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0096_eng_f_chapter_71_education_of_workers_113_2831.mp3#duration=850&size=6888752"},{"para_id":"113.2858","title":"Chapter 72\u2014Unholy Ambition","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0097_eng_f_chapter_72_unholy_ambition_113_2858.mp3#duration=699&size=5677761"},{"para_id":"113.2883","title":"Chapter 73\u2014\u201cThe Appearance of Evil\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0098_eng_f_chapter_73_the_appearance_of_evil_113_2883.mp3#duration=1835&size=14770819"},{"para_id":"113.2934","title":"Chapter 74\u2014Love for the Erring","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0099_eng_f_chapter_74_love_for_the_erring_113_2934.mp3#duration=1544&size=12439690"},{"para_id":"113.2983","title":"Chapter 75\u2014Church Duties","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0100_eng_f_chapter_75_church_duties_113_2983.mp3#duration=191&size=1612873"},{"para_id":"113.2991","title":"Treatment of the Erring","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0101_eng_f_treatment_of_the_erring_113_2991.mp3#duration=343&size=2832723"},{"para_id":"113.3004","title":"Selection of Leaders","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0102_eng_f_selection_of_leaders_113_3004.mp3#duration=545&size=4443367"},{"para_id":"113.3025","title":"Chapter 76\u2014A Letter","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0103_eng_f_chapter_76_a_letter_113_3025.mp3#duration=1119&size=9039399"},{"para_id":"113.3055","title":"Chapter 77\u2014God's Love for Sinners","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0104_eng_f_chapter_77_god_s_love_for_sinners_113_3055.mp3#duration=988&size=7993729"},{"para_id":"113.3083","title":"Chapter 78\u2014Acceptable Confession","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0105_eng_f_chapter_78_acceptable_confession_113_3083.mp3#duration=1023&size=8270836"},{"para_id":"113.3113","title":"Chapter 79\u2014Erroneous Ideas of Confession","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0106_eng_f_chapter_79_erroneous_ideas_of_confession_113_3113.mp3#duration=1362&size=10981333"},{"para_id":"113.3158","title":"Chapter 80\u2014God's Presence a Reality","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0107_eng_f_chapter_80_god_s_presence_a_reality_113_3158.mp3#duration=327&size=2698893"},{"para_id":"113.3168","title":"The Presence of Christ in the Schoolroom","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0108_eng_f_the_presence_of_christ_in_the_schoolroom_113_3168.mp3#duration=197&size=1662515"},{"para_id":"113.3176","title":"Chapter 81\u2014The Nature and Influence of the \u201cTestimonies\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0109_eng_f_chapter_81_the_nature_and_influence_of_the_testimonies_113_3176.mp3#duration=437&size=3582843"},{"para_id":"113.3192","title":"Personal Testimonies","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0110_eng_f_personal_testimonies_113_3192.mp3#duration=545&size=4446035"},{"para_id":"113.3212","title":"Object of the \u201cTestimonies\u201d\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0111_eng_f_object_of_the_testimonies_113_3212.mp3#duration=347&size=2858396"},{"para_id":"113.3224","title":"Not to Take the Place of the Bible","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0112_eng_f_not_to_take_the_place_of_the_bible_113_3224.mp3#duration=741&size=6010779"},{"para_id":"113.3248","title":"Wrong Use of the \u201cTestimonies\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0113_eng_f_wrong_use_of_the_testimonies_113_3248.mp3#duration=363&size=2990569"},{"para_id":"113.3263","title":"To be Judged by their Fruits","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0114_eng_f_to_be_judged_by_their_fruits_113_3263.mp3#duration=169&size=1440934"},{"para_id":"113.3270","title":"Doubting the \u201cTestimonies\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0115_eng_f_doubting_the_testimonies_113_3270.mp3#duration=565&size=4604455"},{"para_id":"113.3290","title":"Duty to Give Reproof","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0116_eng_f_duty_to_give_reproof_113_3290.mp3#duration=363&size=2991705"},{"para_id":"113.3302","title":"Rejection of Reproof","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0117_eng_f_rejection_of_reproof_113_3302.mp3#duration=297&size=2464976"},{"para_id":"113.3312","title":"Neglect of the \u201cTestimonies\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0118_eng_f_neglect_of_the_testimonies_113_3312.mp3#duration=240&size=2008581"},{"para_id":"113.3320","title":"How to Receive Reproof","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0119_eng_f_how_to_receive_reproof_113_3320.mp3#duration=260&size=2163739"},{"para_id":"113.3326","title":"An Unwarranted Distinction","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0120_eng_f_an_unwarranted_distinction_113_3326.mp3#duration=1303&size=10506849"},{"para_id":"113.3364","title":"Chapter 82\u2014Unfounded Reports","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0121_eng_f_chapter_82_unfounded_reports_113_3364.mp3#duration=640&size=5203589"},{"para_id":"113.3388","title":"Chapter 83\u2014A Miracle Counterfeited","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0122_eng_f_chapter_83_a_miracle_counterfeited_113_3388.mp3#duration=358&size=2952226"},{"para_id":"113.3399","title":"Chapter 84\u2014The Mysteries of the Bible a Proof of its Inspiration","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0123_eng_f_chapter_84_the_mysteries_of_the_bible_a_proof_of_its_inspiration_113_3399.mp3#duration=1967&size=15827166"},{"para_id":"113.3459","title":"Chapter 85\u2014The Impending Conflict","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0124_eng_f_chapter_85_the_impending_conflict_113_3459.mp3#duration=1049&size=8480385"},{"para_id":"113.3493","title":"Chapter 86\u2014\u201cThe American Sentinel\u201d and its Mission","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0125_eng_f_chapter_86_the_american_sentinel_and_its_mission_113_3493.mp3#duration=389&size=3198794"},{"para_id":"113.3505","title":"Chapter 87\u2014Workers in the Cause","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0126_eng_f_chapter_87_workers_in_the_cause_113_3505.mp3#duration=1351&size=10896696"},{"para_id":"113.3545","title":"Chapter 88\u2014The Inestimable Gift","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0127_eng_f_chapter_88_the_inestimable_gift_113_3545.mp3#duration=1201&size=9690843"},{"para_id":"113.3583","title":"Chapter 89\u2014The Character of God Revealed in Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0128_eng_f_chapter_89_the_character_of_god_revealed_in_christ_113_3583.mp3#duration=1521&size=12258535"},{"para_id":"113.3623","title":"Chapter 90\u2014The Word Made Flesh","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0129_eng_f_chapter_90_the_word_made_flesh_113_3623.mp3#duration=495&size=4048897"},{"para_id":"113.3634","title":"Chapter 91\u2014God's Care for His Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/113\/0130_eng_f_chapter_91_god_s_care_for_his_work_113_3634.mp3#duration=855&size=6927469"}]