4:21 Corinthians 4:2

A steward is one put in charge of his master's property to manage it for the owner's interest, improving what is in his hands rather than turning it to his own gain.Ms 77, 1893, par. 33+2 To be found faithful is to recognize obligation to God underlying every other obligation, using all that is possessed as a trust according to His direction for His honor and for good to self and others.ED 139.1+1 The requirement rests on everyone entrusted with God's gifts and not on ministers alone, with each responsible for what he has received whether much or little, for responsibility is proportionate to the trust.Ms 42, 1898, par. 5–9+2 Faithfulness is not measured by eloquence or size of responsibility, but by doing the best one can with what one has, working diligently rather than burying the gift, guarding mind and body, and presenting truth simply and clearly.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 10+2 Stewards are finally judged by the Lord and not by men, when He will bring hidden things to light, disclose the motives of the heart, and reward each justly.Ms 47a, 1898, par. 1+2

A steward is employed to manage his master's property, which is virtually in his hands and under his control yet is not his own, and he is to manage it so that improvements accumulate and benefit is yielded to the master's work.Ms 77, 1893, par. 33+2 He is to identify his own interest with the owner's cause, binding his honor to the owner's throne, standing closely by his side, and accepting responsibility to act in the owner's stead with the owner's interests first.9T 246.1–3+2 This means acting as the master would act, dealing honestly and fairly with a clear conscience, keeping what is entrusted in order, and refusing to turn entrusted advantages to personal gain, to selfish or mean dealing, to boasting of personal wisdom, or to sacrificing honor to mammon.Ms 25, 1906, par. 2–4+4 Such a trust is a position of dignity, but one who uses its advantages selfishly has betrayed it and can no longer be relied on.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 6–8+1

Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful, which in business means recognizing an obligation to God that underlies every other obligation.ED 139.1 Everything possessed is a trust to be used according to His direction, and each person's assigned work is suited to ability and intended for good, for God's honor, and for benefit to self and others.ED 139.1+1

Christ's ministers are stewards entrusted with the mysteries of God and the truths of His Word, and the quality required in them is faithfulness in carrying out that work.AA 276.1–3+2 That faithfulness includes pleasing the One who entrusted them, leading people to the truths of Scripture rather than seeking political leadership, and carrying out the duty to warn and correct evils in the church according to the light given rather than failing to address them.Ms 130, 1899, par. 12+1 The requirement rests with great responsibility upon every human agent to whom goods are entrusted and not upon ministers alone, for talents are lent to every man as verily as to the exalted angel in the courts of heaven.Ms 81, 1899, par. 1–7

Everyone entrusted with God's work or gifts is therefore required to be faithful, receiving different amounts of gifts, abilities and means, to some five talents, to others two, and to others one.Ms 42, 1898, par. 5–9+2 Each is responsible to use faithfully what he has whether much or little, for responsibility is proportionate to the trust received, and those entrusted with greater means and abilities carry greater obligations.Ms 26, 1899, par. 31–32+1 By taking a place as a member of Christ's body each soul pledges to act faithfully for the Master with the same prudence and wisdom he would use if he himself were to be enriched by all that is gained, and God confers special honor in committing the treasure of His Word to be understood, appropriated, and in every circumstance employed to His glory.Ms 81, 1899, par. 10 No one is held accountable for talents never possessed, for God values service according to what a man has and not according to what he has not, giving His approval to faithful small service as if it were a greater work.4T 618.2–3

Faithfulness is not measured by eloquence or by size of responsibility; each is to do the best he can with what he has, putting it to service rather than neglecting it.Ms 42, 1898, par. 5–9+1 In ministry this means presenting truth simply and clearly, teaching families their responsibility to seek and save the lost, training young men by working alongside them, and doing one's best according to ability, with God giving wisdom and increasing talents that are exercised.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 10+2 It means guarding abilities of mind and body from self-indulgence and misuse so they remain ready for service, working diligently and developing character through use rather than burying the gift, despising the day of small things, overlooking God-given small work while longing for large talents, or blaming God for having entrusted less.Ms 26, 1899, par. 31–32+2 Every person, family and institution, however large income or possessions, holds the Lord's money in trust and must account for all profit, pay, time, talents and opportunities with not the first thread of selfishness woven into the work, for God constantly proves whether work is free from selfishness and pride.Ms 4, 1899, par. 54

Stewards are ultimately judged by the Lord and not by human comparisons or their own assessment, for the good or evil estimate placed by brethren or the church does not change a man's position in His sight.AA 276.1–3+2 Nothing is to be judged before the time until He comes, when He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels and motives of the heart.Ms 47a, 1898, par. 1+2 Then He will reward each justly and every man found true and faithful will have praise of God rather than praise of men.Ms 47a, 1898, par. 1+2

God assigns people a part in supporting the ministry, spreading the gospel and benefiting others, and those who teach truth and watch over souls must use time and resources faithfully for that purpose.1T 153.2+1 Economy is right, but saving for its own sake becomes meanness, and hoarding what belongs to the Lord instead of putting it to faithful use fails the requirement.1T 153.2+1 This appointed work develops benevolent, unselfish character.4T 472.2–4

Income, possessions, pay, time, talents, opportunities, money, property, speech, social influence and every other faculty are the Lord's property held in trust and not one's own, and persons, families and institutions however large their income or possessions are only stewards accountable to God for what He entrusts to them.Lt 132, 1898, par. 7–9+4 God alone owns them and is the source of power, and He alone has the right and competence to determine their proper use and to guide and control them to the best purpose worthy of such endowments.Lt 123, 1897, par. 2+1 Faithfulness means giving God everything a person has and is, keeping His honor and glory ever in view, giving Him the whole heart and undivided affections and withholding nothing because every part of man is His purchased possession, laying aside the claim to be completely one's own and refusing to pervert entrusted power as social influence is so sadly perverted.Lt 123, 1897, par. 2+1 God tests and constantly proves whether stewards use all profit, pay, time, talents and opportunities for His work and for the good of others, and faithful stewardship excludes selfishness and pride with not the first thread of selfishness woven into His work.Lt 132, 1898, par. 7–9+2 Setting aside only a portion for religious or charitable purposes does not make the rest one's own, for all money belongs to God and is only lent on trust to be used in His service and not to enhance personal honor, and the use of every penny shows whether they love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves.MYP 310.1–2+1 Money has value when used to meet life's needs, bless others and advance Christ's cause, providing food, drink, clothing, protection for the oppressed and help for the sick, and the richest reward belongs to those workers who prove that they love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves.MYP 310.1–2+1

The human body, bodily strength, life, health, reasoning powers and physical and mental strength are capital lent by God, more valuable than money, houses or lands because strength cannot be purchased, and the body was fitted up by the Creator as His dwelling place.COHJ 2.2+3 Faithfulness requires learning the laws of life and conscientiously obeying them, living in harmony with the light God has given about health reform for the good of oneself and the world.COHJ 2.2+1 Strength is a gift entrusted like money, and a person is accountable for using it wisely and fully in diligent exertion, for failing to use strength for needed work is as wrong as a wealthy person hoarding money, while reckless spending, wasteful pleasure and neglect of God-given opportunities mark unfaithfulness.2T 432.2+1 Wise use is faithful service to God's glory, requiring self-denial rather than use of property for self-indulgence, since idleness and self-gratification bring illness and suffering.CEv 65.4+1

Abilities, mental powers, spiritual strength, natural abilities, social advantages, skill, time, influence and capabilities belong to God and must be consecrated to honor Him and bless others, not spent on self-pleasing, display or gratification.MYP 48.1–2+2 Body, mind, soul, time, influence, capabilities and skill are held in trust to be used for Him and accounted for to Him, and God tests people by giving them opportunities to prove faithful.MYP 48.1–2+1 A faithful steward uses these gifts through earnest, persevering effort to carry out God's plan for uplifting humanity and to do increasing good for His glory, remaining both a learner and a teacher.MYP 48.1–2+1 Trust and responsibility are measured according to what can be carried intelligently and wholeheartedly, so those who know present truth are to be sanctified by it and use every spiritual gift and talent to advance God's work and reject selfishness, thus becoming channels of light, with physical, mental and moral powers used together in cooperation with God.Ms 42, 1898, par. 30–31+2

Grace, truth, the treasure of His Word and the saving principles of Christ are entrusted to be understood, appropriated, taught, practiced and shared for the salvation of others, and those entrusted are stewards not owners who must hold what they have in trust and use it faithfully to advance Christ's cause.RH Nov 12, 1903+3 A steward of revealed truth cannot remove or soften any part of Scripture to suit people's preferences but must declare it as given and call people to conform to it.4SP 178.1–179.1 Withholding these blessings or diverting them to selfish purposes and using what was entrusted for selfish benefit is betrayal of the trust and unfaithfulness, leaving people without the help and truth they were meant to receive.RH Nov 12, 1903+1 Faithfulness is shown when mission workers share truth with people in error for love of Christ and others, placing conscience and duty above financial reward, making the saving principles known rather than following own preferences or natural tendencies, and following Christ's example by meeting people where they are and sharing the light, comfort and peace of God's truth.LSEGW 304.2+2

Parents are stewards entrusted with the care of their children and the grace of Christ, and are required to be faithful in that appointed work by patiently and lovingly winning, educating, training, guiding, restraining and praying for them in faith and reliance on God toward purity, modesty and Christian character as the highest service to God.ST Aug 23, 1899+3 They must administer God's law at home with patience and love and keep working without impatience or weariness, with patient labor and lifelong diligent and persevering effort for which God will accept no excuse.ST Aug 23, 1899+1 That responsibility cannot be trusted to the minister or the Sabbath-school teacher nor set aside for active Christian work outside the home or for labor in a foreign mission field while their own children remain strangers to the Saviour and His love.COL 195.2 Neglecting this duty makes parents accountable for the loss of their children's talents to God's cause.5T 325.2–326.1

Children are stewards in the home who must be faithful in duties rather than shirking them, for hard work that helps the home prosper also brings blessings to themselves.Ms 117, 1899, par. 13

Positions of influence and responsibility are stewardships for which accountability grows with the extent of influence, and all who step into places of responsibility, including leaders, managers and departmental superintendents, must be proved and tested day by day to see whether they are registered as faithful and true stewards of entrusted talents.7T 282.4+4 Connection with God's special work brings much responsibility, with greater responsibility attached to higher positions of trust, and their faithfulness or unfaithfulness has strong influence either in advancing or in hindering God's work.STB 452.1+1 Heaven watches how they use that influence, especially in treatment of others, requiring just, tender and truthful dealing, Christlike character, and close unity and fellowship with fellow workers.7T 282.4+1 Faithfulness requires humility and sincerity, fearfulness and mistrust of self, carefulness to give all praise and thanksgiving to God, looking to God for wisdom, availing of every opportunity to perfect character after the divine similitude, keeping the fear of God before them with superiors, inferiors and equals, and cherishing truth as an abiding sanctifying principle, while a Watcher stands by all filling positions of trust to reprove wrongdoing and answer prayer, and deviation from straightforward rectitude forfeits blessing, prosperity and sustenance.Ms 17, 1896, par. 22+1

Special trusts include the knowledge of how to manufacture health foods, given by God to help sustain His cause and help suffering humanity, and ability to write with income and royalties earned from it.7T 129.2+3 Those entrusted with knowledge of how special foods were made must not disclose methods for personal gain, exploit that knowledge for selfish purposes, misrepresent the cause or their connection to those who developed them, or make the knowledge public, for doing so is betrayal of trust, misuse of the Lord's goods and reproach on the cause.7T 129.2+2 The laborer who at large outlay produced special products is to be allowed reasonable income and control with means to use it to advance God's work, with profits used benevolently in Christian simplicity.7T 129.2 A person's ability to write and the income earned from it are trusts from God to be managed faithfully under God's direction, including personally deciding how to invest and share that income and where and when to invest according to God's leading and the needs of the wider work, rather than transferring responsibility to a publishing house or conference or surrendering control to another person or institution, and royalties dedicated to foreign missions are to be directed by the steward as fulfilling stewardship and not as selfishness.7T 176.4–177.4+2

Faithfulness in stewards means making God known everywhere and giving Him the glory and honor due Him, putting man in the shade and presenting God as the only hope of the human race, recognizing Him in every effort to uplift humanity.Ms 21, 1899, par. 10+1 It means making God first and last and best in everything while striving to advance His glory, whether standing before infidels or princes, uplifting Christ with steady, persevering, ever-increasing force and drawing unfailing energy from the Light of life with no ambitious motive.Ms 21, 1899, par. 8–9+1 Those who work for God do good only because God is behind them doing the work as the efficiency of the worker, and all restoring of the moral image of God in man is done by God alone.Ms 21, 1899, par. 8–9 Where stewards are thus faithful their impulses are brought under divine supervision and they make steady growth spiritually and intellectually, for Christ's power alone can restore broken-down human nature and give success to human effort, and by riveting their building to the eternal Rock, Christ Jesus, they will stand amid storm and tempest.Ms 21, 1899, par. 10+1 Entering into a confederacy to exalt men, praising men and giving thanks to man while neglecting God, putting man first and God second and saying little of God, is unfaithfulness and weakness itself showing loss of wisdom and righteousness, and God will not cooperate with and will leave those who do not recognize Him.Ms 21, 1899, par. 10+1

What stewards have was received, so they must serve humbly and faithfully without exalting self or comparing gifts and success as though they came from themselves.16MR 198.2–3 Those who make self and their own zeal or ability the center of their work are unfaithful stewards, and their self-importance can divert the work into false paths and endanger it.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 35 Only the one who keeps the way of the Lord can be trusted with the work of the Lord, for he alone is a faithful steward, living a decidedly practical Christianity, daily converted to God with no place for self and selfish ambition.Lt 22, 1896, par. 10 Whatever hereditary or cultivated tendencies such a one has, he is molded by the Holy Spirit into more and still more decided cooperation in upbuilding the instrumentalities God has established, never taking the side of darkness by weakening and discouraging others or leavening minds with suspicion, distrust and jealousy, but standing firm as a rock to principle uncorrupted by deception and disaffection, and anyone who leaves a misleading impression injuring God's instrumentalities works against God.Lt 22, 1896, par. 10 Those who work for God are stewards of the grace of Christ required to be wise, trustworthy and faithful, which means loving and fearing God, accepting reproof when corrected for mistakes and extreme ideas, and walking in the light which brings blessing, with hard wrestling work fitting youth by valuable experience.Lt 101, 1902, par. 2

Faithful stewards give a correct representation of God's character, for God's cause is of so much consequence to Him that He requires it of everyone claiming to be His steward, and none but those who walk circumspectly before Him are qualified, while He works with those who properly represent Him so His will is done on earth as in heaven.Ms 96, 1902, par. 20+1 Christ's ministers and others in positions of responsibility are not faithful unless their character reflects Christ's character in every business transaction.Lt 100, 1900, par. 11–12 The Lord's goods must be handled honestly and faithfully, and dishonesty in their use leaves a person guilty before God and denies Christ in action even when professing to keep and teach His commandments.Ms 24, 1894, par. 12 Believers are depositaries entrusted with so rich a treasure as the glory and knowledge of Christ, and faithfulness means copying Jesus as Pattern, being exact in principle and upright in conduct, giving no place to Satan and staying wide-awake to discern the tempter's wiles, walking and working as Jesus worked, being strict and honest in all transactions with believers and unbelievers, and becoming tender, charitable, meek and lowly of heart by learning of Him so as to reflect His glory more brightly.Lt 38, 1892, par. 8–9

Faithfulness requires thorough, humble, diligent work in dependence on God rather than self, not relying on oneself or acting carelessly, but working thoroughly and humbly with wisdom and power He gives and blesses.7MR 339.3 For a worker in the publishing office and elsewhere, this means working carefully and faithfully with exactness and constant care, continually asking whether the work accords with God's will and pleases Christ the Redeemer.STPW91 19.3+1 It means carrying out assigned work thoroughly and promptly, using time and resources carefully and avoiding waste, caring for property, taking responsibility, working diligently and using paid time for the work it is meant to serve, since neglecting these duties and using that time for personal amusement is unfaithful stewardship like taking unearned money.4T 450.1+1 Workers are accountable to God for what is entrusted, and faithfulness in present trust shows fitness to receive eternal riches, while their example can encourage diligence in others and bear fruit for this life and the life to come.4T 450.1 It includes working with God and supporting fellow workers especially in discouraging times through unity, prayer and sustaining influence, doing entrusted duties contentedly even in humble or difficult circumstances, cooperating without murmuring, taking initiative even outside usual responsibilities, and constantly asking whether work pleases Christ.STPW91 19.3+1

Faithfulness means full surrender to God, dying to self and living to Christ, having an abiding Christ, reaching a higher standard and being sanctified through surrender, not cherishing sin but crucifying self.Ms 2, 1899, par. 14+1 It means surrendering to be worked by the Holy Spirit, setting aside own will, judgment and brain power, getting out of the Lord's way and not hindering His plans with ambitious schemes, trust in own wisdom or human devising, but placing oneself by faith in the Lord's hands to be sent.8T 185.1–2+1 When men so yield, the Lord undertakes the work entrusted to Him and never fails, enlightening and training every worker by His Spirit, shaping providences to carry the work forward, using qualifications to glorify His name, purifying from selfishness, conforming day by day to Christ's image and making partakers of the divine nature, molding as clay in the Potter's hands and pruning as vines so they bear fruit abundantly.Lt 215, 1899, par. 22–26 It means receiving Bible truth with continual self-denial, leaving no place for self-indulgence, revealing the cross of Calvary in daily actions, understanding that accepting Christ's cause means accepting His cross and not merely bearing the disciple's name, keeping self-control, perseveringly studying the Word and yielding life to Christ's service, being strong to speak in season and to rebuke sin and folly with longsuffering and doctrine while controlled by the Spirit, with freedom, light and peace following full surrender.Ms 2, 1899, par. 14+1 A man is only the Lord's steward owing God every faculty, and this requires cutting away all self-glorification, working out of self into perfect conformity to God's mind and will in Christ's likeness with Christ as Pattern ever before, for safety is found only in this faithful stewardship, since unconsecrated self mixed with entrusted gifts must be removed by consecration of soul, body and spirit into harmony with Him.Lt 8, 1899, par. 5+1

Stewards of God are stewards of God and not of men, and each person entrusted with sacred duties is accountable to God and must carry out that trust according to God's direction, looking to God rather than depending on human leaders for light or letting one person control another's God-given work.Lt 265, 1907, par. 2–6 Those who have means must look to God rather than to brethren or messengers for light and teaching about when to sell and how much and when to give and how much, for God alone knows just how much means will be wanted and when and where while men do not.Lt 5, 1853, par. 5–6+1 Stewards must be left free for God to teach, direct and guide by the operation of the Spirit upon the heart, thinking and acting on individual responsibility under the divine eye.Lt 5, 1853, par. 5–6+1 Messengers have no authority to take that direction upon themselves or hasten disposal by false teaching, for making stewards look to men instead of God lets Satan turn means away from its true object so means are wasted and lack is felt when needed work such as more frequent publications, tracts and papers must come out.Lt 5, 1853, par. 5–6+1 God's plan is for everything on earth to move like clockwork in His cause, though He could rain money from heaven, and when this is thrown out of order the cause suffers and the one causing disorder must suffer loss even if he enters the kingdom, for God's ways and thoughts are not human, so being made to feel like stewards of men is an evil that must be remedied.Lt 5, 1853, par. 9–10

Faithfulness is required in little as well as large, in spiritual and business duties, and a man appointed as God's steward must be found faithful in both, with courage to say I cannot betray sacred trusts and refusal to link with wrongdoers, for linking makes the steward equally guilty, and when unfaithful he must heartily repent or never see the kingdom.Ms 144, 1902, par. 2 It requires doing one's own appointed work calmly and completely in the fear of God, not rushing through hurried complicated movements, not gathering unordained burdens, and never leaving one given duty marred or incomplete to seize another, but using personally the brains and talents God gave, thinking and acting on individual responsibility, doing justice and judgment in all wisdom, blending mind with other minds, and speaking counsel and difference when change is needed rather than remaining silent.Lt 215b, 1899, par. 21–24 A superintendent or manager in God's work must manifest Christ's spirit while being firm to restrain evil, and neglect to restrain evil proves unfitness for position.Lt 74, 1896, par. 4+1 Such a steward is a growing man able to meet constantly arising difficulties and opportunities, quick to discern what needs to be done and active at the right time so rules and resolutions are carried into effect instead of falling dead and leaving matters worse.Lt 74, 1896, par. 4 It also means refusing confederacy in business with men of strong almost unsubduable temperament whose propositions prove a snare, venturing nothing unless conscientiously clear according to God's Word and not a thorn to religious life, in order to bear the gospel forward in purity amid life-and-death association with those of different nationality, education and experience, keeping the eye single to God's glory without partiality or hypocrisy and without making any person's case a favored specialty against the cause, and repressing evils that need repressing, for where such stewards lack, confession, repentance and thorough reformation do not follow and great spiritual blindness results.Ms 31, 1900, par. 5–8+2

Faithfulness means continuing the work God gives as long as life and reason are spared, without failing or discouragement, from love for God and for Jesus Christ and intense interest in every soul claiming to be God's child, whether people accept or obey the message or not, trusting God for grace to be obedient.5MR 152.1–153.2+1 Christ has appointed those who serve Him to act as His stewards and has a right to expect faithfulness and diligence, serving with an eye single to His glory, each doing his best while walking humbly in Christ's footsteps and faithfully improving lent talents, with promise that God will bless everyone who does so.Lt 229, 1904, par. 7 A professing Christian is a steward required to show practical godliness not for a day or year but for a lifetime, and profession without it denies Christ and causes unfaithful steward to be written opposite the name in heaven's books.Ms 75, 1903, par. 3 Being faithful is the only safety, working out personal salvation in obedience to God's will and the fullness of His law, escaping deception and the broad way to destruction, and the Lord Jesus qualifies those thus faithful to lead others in truth, happiness and obedience, which requires cherishing no low estimate of the work He expects and dying to self to live to Christ.Lt 233, 1899, par. 15+1

Faithfulness means being as true to interests entrusted as it is possible for a finite mortal man to be, not producing unlimited results like one who is infinite.Lt 8a, 1899, par. 2–4 A steward who carries double the work he should have and whose mental and physical force comes almost to a standstill for want of proper rest is still faithful when poor results follow, because he could not prevent the result, and he deserves no censure.Lt 8a, 1899, par. 2–4 Faithfulness requires reverence for God with superiors, inferiors and equals, cherishing truth as an abiding sanctifying principle, and keeping eyes fixed on Jesus, acting under the divine eye with the divine standard and God as counsellor in all proceedings temporal and especially with fellow believers, letting holiness, justice and truth shine in every action without mean advantages marring nobility of principle.Lt 80, 1897, par. 12 A leader entrusted with responsibility must serve without partiality and with unselfish interests, governing his own household wisely and in the fear of God, for neglecting this carries personal defects into his work and disqualifies even from serving as local elder.STMW8 6.1 Those responsible for school interests are unfaithful if they neglect to protect students' time and keep minds free from distractions from study, for parents and friends support students expecting they will do their best.13MR 145.1+1

Faithfulness requires refusing liberty to unite in any business confederacy or transaction between parties hard to unify that God, who sees the end from the beginning, cannot justify and endorse as glorifying His holy name.Ms 31, 1900, par. 10 It means consulting God as to how His work shall be advanced without one thread of selfishness woven into it, trusting God to work and furnish means for carrying His work forward without entanglement, and submitting to be molded and fashioned after the divine similitude instead of acting out perverse human nature that binds His work about.Ms 31, 1900, par. 10

Faithfulness in stewards means carefully husbanding, saving and managing the money entrusted instead of spending it for selfish pleasure or prodigality, putting the talents given to the best use and growing in efficiency, binding about the desire to spend, cutting off needless expenditure and gathering the fragments, so that at the coming of God His own may be returned to Him with usury and large increase, and this calls for self-sacrifice at every step.Ms 63, 1901, par. 30+3 Loyalty turns away from selfish spending on things like picture-idols that stand between God and the soul, and uses means to sow the seeds of truth and save souls.RH Jun 13, 1907

Faithfulness includes returning an exact tenth of all increase rather than withholding it or substituting occasional gifts and charitable acts for what is required, obeying the instructions about tithes and offerings and keeping account with God honest.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 11–16+2 The obligation applies even to those with little means, because what is handled is not their own but belongs to God and must be followed exactly rather than by one's own plans or impulse.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 11–16+2 Regular reserves are to be set apart for His work in proportion to what He has given, acknowledging that all is God's and returning what He claims, an arrangement carrying eternal consequences.STMW9 67.3–4+1 Unfaithfulness in small responsibilities robs His treasury, brings curse and condemnation and accountability in the judgment and makes one unfit for greater trust, while faithful stewardship honors God and carries promise of His blessing and fitness for greater responsibilities.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 11–16+2

All property is the Lord's, only lent to men to be returned into His treasury to sustain His cause and institutions, and stewards must study with an unselfish heart the will God has given for its use as closely as an executor studies a testator's will so the smallest amount is not misapplied and His cause is not neglected when He has provided sufficient means for every emergency.4T 482.4+1 Faithfulness requires breaking up the present selfish system of disposing of property and giving an entirely new aspect to the formation of wills.4T 482.4+1 In making a will God's cause is to have first consideration, while providing for a needy wife and children but not automatically leaving gifts to relatives who are not in need.4T 482.3 Aged ones nearing the close of probation and their brethren must exercise intellect to secure to the Lord His own in legally valid wills and legacies, so thousands of dollars are not lost and God's property is not appropriated in a way that cannot glorify Him by passing to Satan's control and to the injury of children and grandchildren who have no love for God or for truth.4T 478.1

Those who have means must use them themselves in God's cause during lifetime and not leave the work for children, for God has lent them the means for this work and left them this work to do, and faithfulness means rendering back to Him both principal and interest when He calls for account.3T 123.1+2 Parents are stewards of the means lent them and they, not their children, are responsible for prayerfully deciding disposition according to His word, meeting His claims and advancing His cause.TCBMP 155.1+1 Wise provision considers children in need who can use means judiciously, but giving wealth merely because of relationship violates God's claims when that child already has abundance and serves the world, and keeping back means to leave a surplus to children is unfaithful.TCBMP 155.1+1 The healthy and much more the feeble, the sick, the aged, and all likely soon to close life history must set house in order while life and reason are spared, securing entrusted talents of means to the Lord's treasury and disposing of property with an eye single to His glory so it does not pass into hands of enemies of truth to gratify worldly pride and ambition and build up Satan's kingdom, a faithfulness essential to being entrusted with eternal interests.13MR 398.2+1

Stewards must bring means into His treasury while living, consecrate property, contribute to advance the work for which Christ died, make bequests and wills even when death does not seem near, add upon the altar not only means but themselves and their children, put capital to work so it constantly accumulates as others receive light and use talents in turn, and lay up treasure in heaven.Ms 26, 1891, par. 36–39+1 It is especially the duty of aged, feeble and childless people to keep affairs in order and arrange for means to support God's cause if they die suddenly, and neglect to arrange proper disposition while living is unfaithful because death may come suddenly or before arrangements can be made or approved.1T 199.2+1 Faithfulness forbids giving grudgingly, burying means in worldly speculation, buildings and enterprises, spending on picture-taking and vanity, hoarding property and letting benevolence dry up, for this falls below God's standard, imperils the soul, allows resources to pass into the enemy's ranks, and receives no reward.1T 199.2+2

Faithful stewards do not waste goods in prodigality and selfish indulgence, expensive dress or furniture, or use money to win praise, but deny self, bind about desire to spend, cut off needless expenditure for selfish gratification, and willingly and cheerfully impart what is entrusted to relieve distressed fellow laborers and send present truth to needy fields.Lt 8, 1890, par. 12–14+2 Money has value when used to meet life's needs, bless others and advance Christ's cause, providing food, drink, clothing, protection for the oppressed and help for the sick, and setting aside only a portion for religious or charitable purposes does not make the rest one's own.MYP 310.1–2 Every penny shows whether one loves God supremely and neighbor as self, expenditures are to be regulated by responsibility to God rather than by wealth, and restrained example checks fashion, vanity in dress and unjustified expense that tempts youth and children of poor parents and taxes parents' purses and God-given time and strength.MYP 310.1–2+1 When one loves neighbor as self and does with God's goods as God chooses, God says of him in the councils of heaven that he is a faithful steward whom He can trust, whose works of righteousness flow as a continual stream and whose money invested will be returned with large interest, and he seeks a good name in heaven.Lt 8, 1890, par. 12–14+1

Right disposal means a noble generous disposition that blesses self and others, economizing rightly without stretching economy into close, snug, mean dealing that only adds to treasure.1T 153.2+1 Economy is right, but saving for its own sake becomes meanness, and saving a little at the cost of precious time can displease God.1T 153.2+2 Those who teach truth and watch over souls are accountable for time and resources and must make right use of what belongs to the Lord and give a right account, not wasting valuable time merely to save a little money.1T 153.2+2 God despises such covetousness, idleness and self-gratification bring suffering, hoarded treasure eats flesh as fire and earthly treasure will soon perish, and without entire reform from covetousness a person cannot be saved.RH Apr 15, 1858+1

Money lent on trust must be used not as fancy dictates but where necessity is greatest, by seeking counsel from God and giving to meet greatest need, rather than choosing one favored work such as sanitariums while refusing home or foreign missions.Ms 23a, 1887, par. 3–4+1 Stewards must not leave money in banks but put it to use in missionary fields while opportunity lasts, spend it carefully and prayerfully to build up Christ's kingdom, decide promptly what must be done with offerings when holy interests and institutions are imperiled, and then act earnestly to protect them.GW92 298.2+3

Faithfulness means placing money in His treasury with self-denial and sacrifice so workers may be sent to all parts of the world and God's work is carried forward to most glorious triumphs, ascribing all glory to God and taking no credit to self.Ms 38, 1904, par. 80–81 It includes using worldly goods to support messengers who carry saving truth to perishing people while Jesus pleads for them that they may receive the seal of the living God, for withholding fails the duty.STBk 105.3+1 Those to whom God has lent money must use it to keep publishing of present truth going so hungry souls are fed and not let it lie idle, for if the paper stops for want of support and hungry sheep die the blood of souls is upon their garments, while faithfulness writes and speeds the message and lets it go where servants cannot go.Ms 2, 1850, par. 1

Stewards must not selfishly hold back funds that should help workers enter new fields, tie up goods in business, or keep resources bound up in Battle Creek while merely speaking of neglected fields.SSP 18.2+1 Faithfulness means wisely investing available means, counting cost to finish building, not concentrating resources selfishly in a few places when institutions are needed elsewhere, planning for needs of all parts of the work rather than allowing costly excess in one region while destitute regions lack basic support.7T 99.3+1 Those at the heart of the work are stewards of the Lord's goods for the whole world and must give consideration to work everywhere, entering new fields with means and hard labor, not grasping means for one's own field, not feeling rich and in need of nothing, but closely examining needs, advantages and defects of each field and working with unselfish interest and self-sacrifice for the whole, with every church acting according to ability, for blindness and ignorance regarding needs is inexcusable.Lt 43, 1900, par. 6+1

Faithfulness was tested in America with means for the long-neglected Southern field, whose work was not done as designed because men proved untrustworthy stewards, and churches are called to arise as one and work earnestly in full light of truth to do more for destitute fields than has yet been done.CNA 127.2+1 In Nashville brethren and sisters are tested and tried, and those neglecting the work for the colored people that should have been done long ago are accounted unfaithful, for the Lord is not pleased with neglect and mere pretense of labor, but requires decided interest with real results, reformation and willing cooperation.Lt 119, 1905, par. 6–7 Faithfulness calls for personal sacrifice, practical help and profits for needy work rather than selfish increase of institutional gain, with publishing managers recognizing the Southern mission's needs.Lt 37a, 1900, par. 2–8 Managers and prosperous institutions must to the uttermost relieve dire necessities of sister institutions, lift decayed or crippled ones so God's name is not dishonored, repair essential machinery and help sister institutions in Norway and Scandinavia and elsewhere so work does not languish or pass to worldlings, spreading resources beyond well-supported centers to establish truth and houses of worship in neglected communities.Ms 65, 1900, par. 12–17+1

Funds given for God's work, including tithes, designated offerings and money donated for a particular field, must be guarded conscientiously and religiously, promptly placed where they belong, carefully recorded for intended purpose, kept for intended work and used according to purposes of the work.IRCUP 12.1+2 They must not be diverted to meet an emergency on assumption of later replacement, nor misapplied in ways that hinder spread of truth or cripple work in other fields by use for local institutions, for resources wrongly appropriated may be taken away.7T 215.2–3+2 Those handling people's contributions are stewards not owners and must manage carefully, competently and faithfully, deal righteously correcting misuse, avoid needless expense and use resources to advance the gospel among all peoples including distant countries, and refusal brings blindness to what is right and accountability to God.7T 215.2–3+2

Each worker must be a personal steward of what he earns, receiving his own pay and himself deciding where to give, with individuality respected.Ms 123, 1902, par. 8 It is not right for helpers to work without compensation with all they would receive taken for one building fund or one mammoth institution while work in other places needs advancing, for God is pleased when workers have means in hand to give to other parts.Ms 123, 1902, par. 8 Stewardship must not be handed to an institution when doing so prevents acting on needs of the cause as God makes them known.Lt 41, 1894, par. 7–9 Before investing elsewhere the steward must pay what is owed to God and keep pledges as binding as a note, seeking His wisdom and Spirit's guidance rather than personal judgment, and impart as He puts it in the heart, including giving to provide a place to care for the sick.Lt 61, 1886, par. 1+1

Money must not be given or used in a way that draws affections from God, nor hoarded in love of money and the world, treated as one's own or retained covetously.Lt 6, 1871, par. 3–4+2 Property, mental powers and spiritual strength are lent for advancing Christ's work, and stewards must sacrifice for God, deny self for truth, root out covetousness and love of worldly gain, and show a kind generous spirit toward the poor, seeking people's company like Christ to share heavenly benefits received from God.GW 335.2+2 They are to use what is lent to do their part in advancing God's work and helping others, revealing Christ's Spirit by helpfulness, faithful discharge of duty and tender kindness to God's heritage, for even one soul purchased by Christ's blood makes other interests secondary and God blesses such compassion.ST Jun 25, 1894+1

Stewards accountable for faithful use must provide for temporal needs of those who teach truth and watch over souls, support aged ministers and advance the cause, putting means to use to provide facilities where many can learn truth.7T 295.2+2 Those who benefit from God's servants but fail to provide for them are unfaithful stewards of the Lord's money and must answer not only for its use but for the depression and heartache caused to servants and harm done to their work.1T 194.2–195.1 What is possessed, including money, belongs to the Lord and must be used for His purposes rather than to gratify self.7T 295.2 Managers and prosperous institutions prove faithfulness by making every effort to relieve dire necessities of sister institutions and repair essential machinery, lifting decayed ones to their feet so God's name is not dishonored and His people are not discouraged.Ms 65, 1900, par. 12–17

Ministers are faithful stewards of the mysteries of God when they minister to and educate church members, identifying with the Master, accepting responsibility to act in His stead, and putting His interests first, for the trust is a position of dignity that is betrayed when its advantages are used selfishly for personal gain and the betrayer can no longer be relied on.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 6–8 Faithfulness in ministry includes teaching families their responsibility to seek and save the lost, training young men by working alongside them, and doing one's best according to ability, and it does not depend on eloquence, for truth may be presented simply and clearly while God gives wisdom and increases talents.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 10 The work given requires laboring for those fallen under temptation, especially the neglected and endangered, rather than spending effort only on those who need no help, cooperating with Christ to save the tempted and lead them from sin, since neglecting this works against Christ.Lt 70, 1894, par. 13–15

Those who hear and receive the Word of life are accountable stewards whose entrusted property is the Master's, not their own, to be honestly and responsibly used and invested to serve and honor Him and benefit His work, including carrying truth into new fields.Ms 77, 1893, par. 33 Faithfulness in a position of trust and honor means giving self wholly to the Lord, redeeming the time, recovering what was lost, recognizing all influence, capability and knowledge as from God and returning it to Him by trading on His goods, putting all handled out to the exchangers for advancement of His cause so souls are saved.Lt 112, 1899, par. 1–3 That trading is to be done intelligently, not tying up His goods in business but using them to bring souls into truth and increase talents so truth reaches places never hearing the third angel's message, being on guard, improving talents as faithfully as if reaping all benefit for self, identifying with the Redeemer so He identifies with the steward, exemplifying truth in word and spirit and deed, manifesting unselfish interest so His property accumulates and spreads knowledge of truth, and making advance moves while the way is open to lift the standard in new places.Lt 112, 1899, par. 1–3 Stewardship of means and talents calls for setting aside selfish and sectional interests, working in unity, and devoting resources and abilities to missionary work for the best interests of God's cause.Lt 25a, 1890, par. 14 Ministers are faithful when they plan wisely and refuse to hover over churches already raised, giving themselves to aggressive evangelism, preaching the Word and doing house-to-house work where truth has not been heard, preaching in season and out and raising companies of believers in highways and byways, and working in Christ's lines they have the Lord working with them, understand His promise, and find revival and encouragement in entering new fields.Ms 68, 1904, par. 10–11

Jesus entrusted His goods and grace to the church across generations, and that trust with growing responsibilities has come down to the present, where even humblest service seeking the Master's will and glory rather than one's own is acceptable.GW92 304.1–2 Forgetting stewardship leaves professed children of God rusty from inaction in the easy chair of self-satisfaction, so in providence He gives something to do that opens the way to help others become acquainted with truth, requiring rising up and going forth to give light of truth to fellow men, a work bringing great and grand result and teaching an excellent lesson.Lt 56, 1902, par. 4–5+2 Selling Christ's Object Lessons fulfills this in twofold work, helping lift debt from the schools while giving most precious light to those who really need it.Lt 56, 1902, par. 4–5+2 Faithfulness means turning from thinking and planning and working for self to active work for Christ as well-disciplined soldiers wearing His armor under His banner, without which professed believers will not have rich treasures of truth opened to them nor will truth be life to them or through their influence to others.Ms 10, 1892, par. 15

Faithfulness means serving the Creator's purpose by being active in doing good and blessing others through influence, for living selfishly and uselessly without benefiting others is unfaithful stewardship.2T 522.1+1 God has entrusted gifts to represent His benevolence to the poor and needy, and to be found faithful is to have Christ's Spirit revealed in helpfulness, faithful discharge of duty, and tender kind action toward God's heritage, with compassion to the poor and needy bringing His blessing on faithful stewards.RH Feb 18, 1902

Those entrusted with divine instruction must teach truth and practice it, living by every word of God, for claiming to know and teach truth while not living by the Word disqualifies from working together with God.ST Oct 11, 1899 Publishing material that promotes deceptive teachings is unfaithful stewardship recorded as such in heaven.STGC 20.3

Every workman is God's steward in daily business and must show true religion in words, deportment and every act, never divorcing religion from business but keeping God's commandments strictly in all details of worldly matters.4T 190.3–191.1 Faithfulness requires exactness and vigilant care, constantly asking whether each thing accords with God's will and pleases Christ, letting knowledge of being God's child give high tone to everyday duties, being fervent in spirit and not slothful in business, bearing a critical world's scrutiny with integrity, letting Bible religion elevate reason until Christ is blended with all thoughts so every action, word and moment bears holy faith's impress, because the end of all things is at hand with no time for idleness or pleasure at cross-purposes with God.4T 190.3–191.1 Those entrusted with work for God's institutions sin when acting selfishly instead of serving their prosperity and advancement, with every transaction and word accountable to God and recorded.Ms 10, 1901, par. 14–15 In a sanitarium helpers serve faithfully as part of God's work.Lt 105, 1901, par. 13 Stewards appointed in sanitariums must be found faithful in caring for outgoes and incomes, in faithful discharge of stewardship, and in heeding every principle of God's law, not carelessly leaving administration for other unappointed burdens.Ms 175, 1902, par. 1–2 Failure breaks the requirement through losing provision made for aiding other institutions to be created, oppressive close dealings with helpers, management not in the Lord's order, and pursuing one's own self-confident course instead of heeding God's repeated speaking.Ms 175, 1902, par. 1–2 Those placed in charge of God's sanitarium near Los Angeles must manage carefully and faithfully, joining clear spiritual discernment with financial ability so the work goes forward successfully.STB 108.5–109.1 Business workers in the publishing house must be faithful stewards, proved by whether they treat work as mere transactions or consecrate themselves with discernment that it is God's work bearing His mold and superscription, seeking the Lord daily and giving themselves unreservedly to God, whereupon the Holy Spirit qualifies them to stand firm as rock to principle and God endows them with wisdom to devise, plan and execute.Ms 29, 1891, par. 19

Serving as treasurer and financier is work as God's steward to be done faithfully by drawing near to God, and as long as the steward draws near God draws near and guides in judgment, and after clearing the way by thorough repentance the same faithfulness qualifies a man to serve as conference president.Lt 84, 1902, par. 2–3 A business manager is a steward who must faithfully manage financial interests as a direct and important responsibility equal to the president's office, on which prosperity may even more depend, requiring wise judgment and careful study of how expenditures affect the institution, since careless spending helps accumulate debt.Ms 132, 1899, par. 1–4

A physician entrusted with God's grace, skill and care of the sick is to serve faithfully as steward of His grace, caring for soul as well as body and guarding souls.7T 72.2+1 Faithfulness means preparing souls before him for what is to take place as well as ministering to physical needs, being true to God wherever he is, pointing patients to Christ as personal Saviour, letting them know their danger and letting none go into eternity without warning or caution.Ms 62, 1900, par. 5+1 God guides when to open further truth, since some would only be injured by new doctrine contrary to previous views, and wisdom and circumstances govern how and when Bible truth is opened so as not to harm, while God helps everyone who takes hold of the task intelligently with preparation.Ms 62, 1900, par. 5+1

Men in responsible positions are stewards required to be found faithful by unselfishly doing entrusted work, returning fruit in due season to the vineyard Owner, cultivating barren wastes and neglected parts, sowing seeds of truth, and planting the standard in cities and countries never hearing the warning message.Ms 173, 1901, par. 14–15 Faithfulness means institutions cooperating intelligently with God and stewards using entrusted means to supply His messengers for carrying forward His work, instead of selfishly closing doors He opened for blessings to flow.Ms 173, 1901, par. 14–15 If stewards refuse, God will give the trust to those honoring it, find another way to accomplish His purpose, pass to other agencies, and remove His gifts and resources from the unfaithful, leaving them barren.Ms 173, 1901, par. 14–15

Every Christian is God's steward entrusted with His goods, and to be found faithful means not robbing God in any jot or tittle, a question in which much is involved.Ms 33, 1907, par. 4 Faithfulness belongs to true living experience shaping character and making one a fitting representative of Christ.20MR 324.5–325.2 It means elevating and purifying every power, using God-given abilities and opportunities well as sacred duty, accountable because Christ died, so that understanding God's direction one serves as instrument to bless others.EDFCP 12.2 It means improving different abilities and using opportunities to do good and lead others to truth, not that all must give away property, but those having property distribute as prospered and take part in God's work.Lt 9, 1868, par. 2–3 Everyone working in the Lord's vineyard carries a trust and must use physical, mental and moral powers together in cooperation with God.Ms 92, 1899, par. 5

Those entrusted with responsibility must heed His counsel, for those in trust who fail will not be honored as His instruments nor receive the promised reward.RCOC 54.2 Stewards must carry out duties in His name and strength, believing His word and acting on its teachings, for departing from righteousness to one's own judgment leads to self-exaltation, and God may let such follow their own way until weakness appears and they learn to follow His counsel closely.RP 46.4 Workers are stewards whose whole being belongs to the Lord, and while faithful laborers devote their lives to God's work, unconsecrated self mixed with entrusted gifts and responsibilities must be removed by consecration of soul, body and spirit bringing harmony with Him.Lt 6, 1910, par. 5–9 Faithfulness means carrying out entrusted work with self-denial and living for Christ.21MR 400.2–4

God requires stewards to be wise, trustworthy, loving and fearing Him, accepting reproof when corrected for mistakes and extreme ideas, and walking in the light which brings blessing, with hard wrestling work fitting youth by valuable experience.Lt 101, 1902, par. 2 Brother Craig is to be such a faithful steward in the mission and servant of the Lord, growing in understanding and becoming increasingly qualified to do the Master's work.16MR 306.1 Believers entrusted with responsibility are expected to work as faithful disciplined servants of Christ rather than live for themselves.18MR 160.2

Believers are stewards left in charge of Christ's household and interests while He is in heaven, and they must remain faithful by watching and waiting for His appearing so He does not find them sleeping when He comes suddenly.8T 37.2 All are the Lord's stewards who must be found faithful with a deep sense of accountability to God, realizing what He desires them to be and do in this life, not slighting or abusing talents but using them to magnify truth by practice and making uncommon goodness the life work seen by the world.Lt 13, 1902, par. 3 The urgency is that the great day is right upon them, when God will call each to give account of the way talents have been used.Lt 13, 1902, par. 3

Heaven keeps a record of all actions and neglected opportunities, asking whether each one is perfectly reliable and will not swerve from principle to please anyone.Lt 34, 1891, par. 26–28 God gives each person a post of duty under sacred solemn responsibilities, looking to Him for orders, and requires building character for eternity with solid timber while removing every specked, worm-eaten, decaying piece after repeated failure, standing true in words and actions while the world judges and the Lord weighs in the scales of the heavenly sanctuary.Lt 34, 1891, par. 26–28 Doing the will of God places a person on the side of One mighty in counsel who can do more than can be asked or thought, so the self-denial and sacrifice of enduring hardship and resisting temptation as God's representative through lifelong struggle against inclination is worth having such a heavenly record, better than gold, yea, than much fine gold.Lt 34, 1891, par. 26–28 Stewards must render strict account of the use made of His property, money, time and means, bringing means into His treasury and giving back to the Lord His own while living.ST Dec 15, 1909+1 That right disposition puts entrusted capital to work through the instrumentalities established to advance truth, glorify His name, supply those ministering faithfully in word and doctrine, relieve distressed fellow laborers and send present truth to needy fields, so it constantly accumulates as others receive light and use talents in turn and lays up treasure in heaven, while grudging, buried, or vain use in speculation, buildings, enterprises and picture-taking, especially by the aged neglecting to act while reason and life remain, receives no reward.ST Dec 15, 1909+1

Handling another's property and the Lord's resources requires careful diligent use of time and means without waste, with workers accountable to God for whether the trust is preserved and increased.STPW91 22.1–2 Faithfulness in present responsibilities shows fitness to be entrusted with eternal riches and greater responsibilities.STPW91 22.1–2+1 Thorough prompt work that avoids waste can encourage diligence in others and bear fruit for both this life and the life to come, while unfaithfulness in small makes one unfit for greater and brings condemnation.4T 450.1

Faithful stewardship keeps the honor and glory of God ever in view, giving Him everything a person has and is, with time, talents, influence and money as the Lord's property and money only lent on trust to be used in His service and not to enhance personal honor, withholding nothing because every part is His purchased possession with whole heart and undivided affections.Lt 123, 1897, par. 2 All wealth and means are not one's own to use as one pleases but must be used wisely, economically and unselfishly, binding about desire to spend, denying self, cutting off needless expenditure for selfish gratification, gathering fragments, and willingly and cheerfully imparting to relieve need and send truth to needy fields.ST Dec 15, 1909 When a steward loves neighbor as self and does with God's goods as God chooses, God says of him in the councils of heaven that he is His faithful steward whom He can trust to handle His goods, whose works of righteousness flow as a continual stream to desert portions of the vineyard and whose money invested will be returned with large interest.ST Dec 15, 1909 Every person, family and institution however large their income or possessions holds the Lord's money in trust and must account for all profit, pay, time, talents and opportunities with not the first thread of selfishness woven into His work, for God constantly proves whether work is free from selfishness and pride, and the richest reward belongs to those proving love to God supremely and neighbor as self.Ms 4, 1899, par. 54

A steward identifies with the Master, accepts responsibility to act in the Master's stead, and puts the Master's interests first, and the trust is a position of dignity, but one who uses its advantages selfishly for personal gain has betrayed that trust and can no longer be relied on.Ms 65a, 1898, par. 6–8 A man appointed as God's steward is required to be found faithful in little as well as large, having courage to say he cannot betray sacred trusts and refusing to link with wrongdoers, for linking makes him equally guilty, and when unfaithful he must heartily repent of shortcomings else he will never see the kingdom.Ms 144, 1902, par. 2 Men in responsible positions must unselfishly return fruit in due season to the Owner of the vineyard by cultivating barren wastes and neglected parts, sowing seeds of truth, planting the standard in cities and countries never warned, and using entrusted means to supply messengers instead of selfishly closing doors He opened, and if they refuse God will give the trust to those who will honor it, find another way, pass to other agencies, and remove gifts and resources leaving them barren.Ms 173, 1901, par. 14–15 Unfaithful stewards in His institutions profess God's service yet do not exalt truth or honor His name, are spiritually blind, disregard His word, neglect thorough confession and repentance with contrition and earnest seeking, and are defiled by unfair dealing, and God will not honor their names but will turn and overturn and visit them with judgments.Lt 37, 1903, par. 3–4

The work lacked such faithful stewards when those entrusted with major responsibilities were separated from God and lacked the righteousness of true principles, so their plans threatened ruin.17MR 222.2–3 Those entrusted with His goods dealt as worldlings deal, which dishonored God instead of making the office a training school like the schools of the prophets.Ms 12, 1903, par. 2 Leaders grasped means in the Lord's treasury with selfish unsanctified hands to raise their own wages instead of enabling men to enter new fields and sustaining needy gospel workers.Ms 19, 1903, par. 2 Their records are critically examined by One in authority and every unjust transaction and its consequences will be revealed, and reliance on lawyers and unconsecrated advisers with unjust action when God's word opposes plans is unfaithful, so unless they repent with thorough conversion of body, soul and spirit and give evidence of self-sacrifice, a change will soon take place, they are to be released and the work no longer entrusted to their keeping, for God will not serve with unprincipled devising and His Spirit will not strive with them unless they repent.20MR 171.2+1

To fail in the stewardship of the salvation of souls is fearful robbery toward God whose extent far exceeds comprehension, for as bountiful Giver He placed enough in hands to fully sustain His cause so it shall not languish, providing for every necessity His cause demands according to the multitude of His mercies, and each must act part and do work with what is entrusted.Ms 47, 1900, par. 2 A professing Christian is required to show practical godliness not for a day or year but for a lifetime, and profession without it denies Christ and causes the words unfaithful steward to be written opposite the name in the books of heaven.Ms 75, 1903, par. 3

Human beings are not their own owners but only stewards in trust of time, property, speech, social influence and every other faculty and good, for God owns them and is the source of power with sole right and competence to determine proper use and to guide and control to the very best purpose worthy of such endowments.Lt 13, 1888, par. 13 Faithfulness means laying aside claim to be completely one's own, refusing to pervert entrusted power as social influence is so sadly perverted, digging deep and laying the foundation sure and drawing water daily from the wells of salvation so the Lord can make the steward as a spring to refresh others.Lt 13, 1888, par. 13 A man owes God every faculty he possesses, requiring cutting away all self-glorification, working out of self into perfect conformity to the mind and will of God, making that surrender bearing the likeness of Christ and keeping Christ as Pattern ever before, for safety is found only in this faithful stewardship.Lt 8, 1899, par. 5

God's servants are accountable for the trust given and must not surrender responsibility but use gifts and resources for His glory, each improving talents to best ability and returning them as consecrated offering.STMW9 18.3 Faithfulness includes using possessions judiciously and placing them at God's disposal so truth can reach others and grace of salvation can go to all, with followers of Jesus turning from selfishness to self-denial, liberality and benevolence.Ms 25, 1899, par. 21–22 Those entrusted with resources must put means to work for building up Christ's kingdom and spend them carefully and prayerfully.Lt 65, 1893, par. 4

Stewardship is sacred, requiring faithfulness proved by individual responsibility to work, believe and pray, receiving Bible truth with continual self-denial, leaving no place for self-indulgence, revealing the cross in daily actions, understanding that accepting Christ's cause means accepting His cross and not merely bearing the name of disciple, keeping self-control, perseveringly studying the Word, and yielding life to Christ's service.Lt 198, 1908, par. 3 All claiming the Christian name are God's entrusted stewards whether appointed to positions of trust or setting themselves there, and must keep eyes fixed on Jesus, act under the divine eye, adopt the divine standard, and make God counsellor in all proceedings, in all temporal matters and with much more particular care in dealings with those of like faith.Lt 80, 1897, par. 12 Selfish cheap ideas and little mean advantages must not steal in to mar nobility of principle, but holiness and justice and truth should shine in every action.Lt 80, 1897, par. 12