Perishing
For Profit

The Lord's servant once had a dream. It was a very real dream, one that perfectly portrays the spirit of commerce as it is today, and as it has been for many a year. In this dream she saw the earth dark and gloomy. An arm was reaching down from Heaven, holding a golden scepter. On the top of the scepter was a crown studded with diamonds. Every diamond emitted light, bright, clear, and beautiful. Inscribed upon the crown were the words, "All who win me are happy, and shall have everlasting life." Ellen White continues . . .

`Below this crown was another scepter upon which was also placed a crown, in the centre of which were jewels, gold and silver, which reflected some light. The inscription on this crown, was, "Natural treasure - Riches is power. All who win me have honour and fame."

`I saw a vast multitude rushing forward to obtain this crown. They were clamorous. Some in their eagerness seemed bereft of their reason. They would thrust one another, crowding back those who were weaker than they, and trample on those who in their haste fell. Many eagerly seized hold of the treasures in the crown, and held them fast. The heads of some were as white as silver, and their faces were furrowed with care and anxiety. Their own relatives, bone of their bone and flesh of their flesh, they regarded not; but, as appealing looks were turned to them, they held their treasures the firmer, as though fearful, in an unguarded moment, they should lose a little, or divide with them. Their eager eyes would often fasten upon the natural crown, and count and recount its treasures.

`Images of want and wretchedness appeared in that multitude, and looked wishfully at the treasures there, and turned hopelessly away as the stronger overpowered and drove back the weaker. Yet they could not give it up thus; but with a multitude of deformed, sickly and aged, sought to press their way to the natural crown. Some died in seeking to reach it. Others fell just in the act of taking hold of it. Many but just laid hold of it when they fell. Dead bodies strewed the ground, yet on rushed the multitude, trampling over the fallen and dead bodies of their companions. Every one who reached the crown possessed a share in it, and were loudly applauded by an interested company standing around it.

`A large company of evil angels were very busy. Satan was in their midst, and all looked with the most exulting satisfaction upon the company struggling for the crown. Many who sought this crown were professed Christians.

`Then that which I had seen was explained to me as follows: The multitude which were shown me, who were so eagerly striving for the natural crown, were those who love the world's treasure, and are deceived and flattered with its short-lived attractions.' (4SGb107-109).

For Our Meditation

"In Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness." (Psalm 45:4)

¤ Truth = Right Knowledge

¤ Humility = Right Attitude

¤ Righteousness = Right Doing

"Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering." (Ephesians 4:2)

¤ Lowliness = Attitude Towards Myself

¤ Gentleness = Attitude Towards Others

¤ Longsuffering = Attitude Towards Trials

"The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth." (Ephesians 5:9)

¤ Goodness = What I should be

¤ Righteousness = What I should do

¤ Truth = What I should believe

When Tried

“If you are called to go through the fiery furnace for His sake, Jesus will be by your side even as He was with the faithful three in Babylon. Those who love their Redeemer will rejoice at every opportunity of sharing with Him humiliation and reproach. The love they bear their Lord makes suffering for His sake sweet.” (MB30.1)