The Misuse of Money

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 21, 1905

The Misuse of Money

The following recent words of Bishop Wordsworth constitute a timely admonition on the subject of the misuse of means God has intrusted to men:—

As regards money, not one of us is sufficiently careful of it as a trust from God. Most waste it, sometimes by hoarding it, more often by misspending it, and many are proud of their extravagance. Men and women run lightly into debt, and tempt others into it. In some villages there is scarcely a family which is not in debt; and to be in debt encourages dishonesty, and lessens generally the sense of honor. Even educated men take or give bribes, and call them “commissions;” others take what is not theirs, and call it a “perquisite.” Again, the sin of betting and gambling and generally of speculation is one which particularly affects the young of our generation; and those who give way to it are drawn on into other sins, often without seeming to be able to help themselves. Like the other evil passions of impurity and intemperance, the reckless pursuit of money ends very frequently in suicide. . . . Unfortunately, public opinion too often treats such suicide almost as a brave act, or as a natural way of escape from a difficult position.