Early Writings
by Ellen G. White
Covetousness
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Satan has been very successful in getting God's people to
covet money rather than using it to help advance God's work.
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I saw that Satan bade his angels lay their snares especially
for those who were looking for Christ's second appearing and keeping all the
commandments of God. Satan told his angels that the churches were asleep. He
would increase his power and lying wonders, and he could hold them.
"But," he said, "the sect of Sabbathkeepers we hate; they are
continually working against us, and taking from us our subjects, to keep the
hated law of God. Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares.
If you can make them place their affections upon these things, we shall have
them yet. They may profess what they please, only make them care more for money
than for the success of Christ's kingdom or the spread of the truths we hate. Present
the world before them in the most attractive light, that they may love and
idolize it. We must keep in our ranks all the means of which we can gain
control. The more means the followers [267] of
Christ devote to His service, the more will they injure our kingdom by getting
our subjects. As they appoint meetings in different places, we are in danger.
Be very vigilant then. Cause disturbance and confusion if possible. Destroy
love for one another. Discourage and dishearten their ministers; for we hate them.
Present every plausible excuse to those who have means, lest they hand it out.
Control the money matters if you can, and drive their ministers to want and
distress. This will weaken their courage and zeal. Battle every inch of ground.
Make covetousness and love of earthly treasures the ruling traits of their
character. As long as these traits rule, salvation and grace stand back. Crowd
every attraction around them, and they will be surely ours. And not only are we
sure of them, but their hateful influence will not be exercised to lead others
to heaven. When any shall attempt to give, put within them a grudging
disposition, that it may be sparingly." {EW 266.1}
I saw that Satan carries out his plans well. As the servants
of God appoint meetings, Satan with his angels is on the ground to hinder the
work. He is constantly putting suggestions into the minds of God's people. He
leads some in one way and some in another, always taking advantage of evil
traits in the brethren and sisters, exciting and stirring up their natural
besetments. If they are disposed to be selfish and covetous, Satan takes his
stand by their side, and with all his power seeks to lead them to indulge their
besetting sins. The grace of God and the light of truth may melt away their
covetous, selfish feelings for a little, but if they do not obtain entire
victory, Satan comes in when they are not under a saving influence and withers
every noble, generous principle, and they think that too much is required of
them. They become weary of well-doing and forget the great [268]
sacrifice which Jesus made to redeem them from the power of Satan and from
hopeless misery. {EW
267.1}
Satan took advantage of the covetous, selfish disposition of
Judas and led him to murmur when Mary poured the costly ointment upon Jesus.
Judas looked upon this as a great waste, and declared that the ointment might
have been sold and given to the poor. He cared not for the poor, but considered
the liberal offering to Jesus extravagant. Judas prized his Lord just enough to
sell Him for a few pieces of silver. And I saw that there were some like Judas
among those who profess to be waiting for their Lord. Satan controls them, but
they know it not. God cannot approve of the least degree of covetousness or
selfishness, and He abhors the prayers and exhortations of those who indulge
these evil traits. As Satan sees that his time is short, he leads men on to be
more and more selfish and covetous, and then exults as he sees them wrapped up
in themselves, close, penurious, and selfish. If the eyes of such could be
opened, they would see Satan in hellish triumph, exulting over them and
laughing at the folly of those who accept his suggestions and enter his snares.
{EW 268.1}
Satan and his angels mark all the mean and covetous acts of
these persons and present them to Jesus and His holy angels, saying
reproachfully, "These are Christ's followers! They are preparing to be
translated!" Satan compares their course with passages of Scripture in
which it is plainly rebuked and then taunts the heavenly angels, saying,
"These are following Christ and His Word! These are the fruit of Christ's
sacrifice and redemption!" Angels turn in disgust from the scene. God
requires a constant doing on the part of His people; and when they become weary
of well-doing, He becomes weary of them. I saw that He is greatly displeased
with the least manifestation [269] of selfishness on the part of
His professed people, for whom Jesus spared not His own precious life. Every
selfish, covetous person will fall out by the way. Like Judas, who sold his
Lord, they will sell good principles and a noble, generous disposition for a
little of earth's gain. All such will be sifted out from God's people. Those
who want heaven must, with all the energy which they possess, be encouraging
the principles of heaven. Instead of withering up with selfishness, their souls
should be expanding with benevolence. Every opportunity should be improved in
doing good to one another and thus cherishing the principles of heaven. Jesus
was presented to me as the perfect pattern. His life was without selfish
interest, but ever marked with disinterested benevolence. {EW 268.2}
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