Early Writings
by Ellen G. White
Our Duty in View of the Time of Trouble
The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the
Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I
saw that if the saints had food laid up by them or in the field in the time of
trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken
from them by violent hands and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be
the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our
bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not lack or suffer
hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. If
necessary He would send ravens to feed us, as He did to feed Elijah, or rain
manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites. {EW 56.2}
Houses and lands will be of no use to the saints in the time
of trouble, for they will then have to flee before infuriated mobs, and at that
time their possessions cannot be disposed of to advance the cause of present
truth. I was shown that it is the will of God that the saints should cut loose
from every encumbrance before [57] the time of trouble comes, and
make a covenant with God through sacrifice. If they have their property on the
altar and earnestly inquire of God for duty, He will teach them when to dispose
of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble and have no
clogs to weigh them down. {EW
56.3}
I saw that if any held on to their property and did not
inquire of the Lord as to their duty, He would not make duty known, and they
would be permitted to keep their property, and in the time of trouble it would
come up before them like a mountain to crush them, and they would try to
dispose of it, but would not be able. I heard some mourn like this: "The
cause was languishing, God's people were starving for the truth, and we made no
effort to supply the lack; now our property is useless. Oh, that we had let it
go, and laid up treasure in heaven!" I saw that a sacrifice did not
increase, but it decreased and was consumed. I also saw that God had not
required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time; but
if they desired to be taught, He would teach them, in a time of need, when to
sell and how much to sell. Some have been required to dispose of their property
in times past to sustain the Advent cause, while others have been permitted to
keep theirs until a time of need. Then, as the cause needs it, their duty is to
sell. {EW 57.1}
I saw that the message, "Sell that ye have, and give
alms," has not been given, by some, in its clear light, and the object of
the words of our Saviour has not been clearly presented. The object of selling
is not to give to those who are able to labor and support themselves, but to
spread the truth. It is a sin to support and indulge in idleness those who are
able to labor. Some have been zealous to attend all the meetings, not to
glorify God, but for the "loaves and fishes." Such would much better
have been at home laboring with [58] their hands, "the thing that
is good," to supply the wants of their families and to have something to
give to sustain the precious cause of present truth. Now is the time to lay up
treasure in heaven and to set our hearts in order, ready for the time of
trouble. Those only who have clean hands and pure hearts will stand in that
trying time. Now is the time for the law of God to be in our minds, foreheads,
and written in our hearts. {EW
57.2}
The Lord has shown me the danger of letting our minds be
filled with worldly thoughts and cares. I saw that some minds are led away from
present truth and a love of the Holy Bible by reading other exciting books;
others are filled with perplexity and care for what they shall eat, drink, and
wear. Some are looking too far off for the coming of the Lord. Time has
continued a few years longer than they expected; therefore they think it may
continue a few years more, and in this way their minds are being led from
present truth, out after the world. In these things I saw great danger; for if
the mind is filled with other things, present truth is shut out, and there is
no place in our foreheads for the seal of the living God. I saw that the time
for Jesus to be in the most holy place was nearly finished and that time can
last but a very little longer. What leisure time we have should be spent in
searching the Bible, which is to judge us in the last day. {EW 58.1}
My dear brethren and sisters, let the commandments of God
and the testimony of Jesus Christ be in your minds continually and let them
crowd out worldly thoughts and cares. When you lie down and when you rise up,
let them be your meditation. Live and act wholly in reference to the coming of
the Son of man. The sealing time is very short, and will soon be over. Now is
the time, while the four angels are holding the four winds, to make our calling
and election sure. {EW
58.2}
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