6:191 Timothy 6:19

Paul charges those rich in this world not to be proud or trust in uncertain riches but to trust in the living God, do good, be rich in good works, and be ready to distribute and willing to share, and by this to lay up a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life.ST Mar 22, 1883+2 Laying up in store means storing treasure in heaven by investing means for God, which steadily accumulates and cannot be destroyed, lost, or swept away like earthly money, and makes the giver more devoted to the cause of truth.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33+2 The good foundation is sure and firm, laid now while probation lasts by building on Jesus Christ as the only sure foundation, receiving Him into the heart and shaping character and life after His, with the future inheritance proportioned to how fully His character is received and lived.Lt 38, 1902, par. 15+2 Money is the Lord's talent lent for a little while to prove whether stewards will be generous and faithful, so prosperity is a trust to be acknowledged with thanksgiving and used for others and for God's cause through tithes and offerings, with account to be given to God for increase.16MR 256.1–2+2 Faith without works is dead and will never save unless shown genuine and justified by works, for acceptance is not on the ground of good works yet reward will be according to works, and every righteous deed and resisted temptation is written in heaven as a firm foundation whose influence continues into eternity.MYP 181.3+4

The instruction was dictated as Paul's dying charge to Timothy while shut in a dungeon, pressed with infirmities, and expecting a violent death at the hand of wicked Nero before seeing Timothy again.Lt 3, 1878, par. 5 It belongs to a divinely given exposure of peril from deceptions and departing from the faith in the latter days.Ms 81, 1908, par. 22–26 Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into foolish and hurtful lusts that drown men in destruction and perdition, because the love of money is the root of all evil and has caused some to err from the faith and pierce themselves through with many sorrows.Lt 3, 1878, par. 5+1 The man of God must flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.Lt 3, 1878, par. 5+1 He must fight the good fight of faith, keep the commandment without spot and unrebukable until the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords who only has immortality, keep what is committed to trust, and avoid profane babblings and oppositions of science falsely so called.Ms 81, 1908, par. 22–26

Rejoicing in temporal prosperity is dangerous, for those who possess worldly treasure seldom seek earnestly to secure the heavenly treasure and are in danger of falling into that temptation and snare.Lt 12, 1907, par. 6 Making the salvation of souls the first consideration and seeking heavenly treasure gives a cheerful and encouraging prospect.Lt 12, 1907, par. 6 Laying hold on eternal life is the charge laid upon every person who professes to be a Christian, requiring fighting the good fight of faith and keeping the commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.Ms 240, 1902, par. 5–6 It requires self-examination as a duty, looking at actions through the Word of God to know whether in the faith and to point out defects of mind, thought, and action that God will not sanction.Ms 240, 1902, par. 5–6 It requires holding the beginning of confidence in God's past leadings firm unto the end, not according to individual choice and inclination or accommodation to the worldly standard, but with hearts desiring to be improved and set in order that wrongs might be corrected, as firm, spiritual-minded, earnest workers aroused to duty who will not be deceived and will not turn to the right or to the left.Ms 240, 1902, par. 5–6 In this setting, laying up a good foundation for the time to come means choosing God rather than mammon and trusting and obeying Him instead of reasoning from personal advantage, and this choice prepares a person to lay hold on eternal life.Lt 109, 1899, par. 16–18

It is not God's will for His ministers to seek to be rich.GW 340.2 By both example and teaching they are to charge those who are rich in this world not to be proud or high-minded and not to trust in uncertain riches but to trust in the living God who richly gives all things to enjoy.GW 340.2 They are to urge the rich to do good, to be rich in good works, to be ready to give and willing to share, and by such generosity to prepare themselves for the time to come so as to secure eternal life.GW 340.2

The time to come is the close of time, the life beyond this world, and the future immortal world.1T 541.2–542.1+2 A person may enter it by death before worldly plans are fulfilled, so eternal interests must not be sacrificed for land, possessions, or other earthly gain, lest neglect leave one wretched.Lt 8, 1871, par. 11–14 It secures heavenly treasure and the life which measures with the life of God, and this requires awakening to put forth as much energy to secure eternal life as the worldly-wise put forth to secure worldly gain, with the entire church tested in business-minded planning turned to eternal interest.1T 541.2–542.1+1 The greatest work in this life is to prepare for that future immortal life and to help others prepare for it, by arranging business so that self and all connected with it can serve God with all their powers and nothing obscures the vision of heavenly things.Lt 157, 1902, par. 9

Laying up in store means storing treasure in heaven by investment for God through doing good, abounding in good works, and being ready to share rather than trusting in uncertain riches.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33+2 This treasure steadily accumulates while earthly life and probation last, and it cannot be destroyed, lost, or swept away in earthly disaster, unlike earthly possessions which can be swept away.Lt 70, 1893, par. 29–33+2 Earthly money is paltry and soon swept away, but money given to God's cause increases and becomes durable, safe and sure riches in heaven, securing lasting riches and laying hold on eternal life.Ms 21, 1890, par. 6–9+2 Using property to prepare that treasure ahead lays a wise, safe, lasting foundation for the future, and grasping this world with both hands loses hold of the eternal world unless the spirit of sacrifice revives.1T 692.1–2+2

The good foundation is sure, lasting, and firm, laid now in the present life as the time of testing and sowing while probation lasts.Lt 38, 1902, par. 15+2 It is built on Jesus Christ as the only sure foundation and chief cornerstone, and character in strength, symmetry, and beauty giving correct influence can be reared only on Him with whole reliance on God.Lt 38, 1902, par. 15+2 It is laid by receiving the knowledge of Christ into the heart and shaping character and life after His, by living for God now and forming character for the better life.Lt 38, 1902, par. 15+1 The inheritance in the future world will be proportioned to how fully His character is received and lived out, which requires waking from lethargy and sleep, giving time to work, doubling diligence, crowding all possible good into life, and enlisting as unselfish, self-sacrificing coworkers bearing fruit to His glory.Lt 38, 1902, par. 15+1 Children and youth especially should build this foundation now to lay hold of eternal life, seeking such character and improving talents as expected of every soul.Ms 4b, 1885, par. 7+1

The lasting treasure is the immortal inheritance with God, secured by using wealth for good works and generous giving to win souls, which is of greater importance than gaining earthly riches.Lt 51, 1902, par. 14–17 Eternal life is worth more than gold and silver and more than all earthly riches, so using the Lord's money for His cause is a better investment than spending it for self.Lt 51, 1902, par. 14–17+1 Placing affections on heaven secures a treasure and a home there for the time to come, in contrast to keeping interests and treasures in this world and pressing for the earthly crown of riches.SG4 267.2 Those who press for that earthly crown refuse the heavenly provision and are disappointed on every side, meeting an unhappy life and death and failing even of the earthly while losing the heavenly, yet others see their miserable end and still rush madly on the same course.SG4 267.2

Those who are rich in this world must not be proud or high-minded, nor place trust in uncertain riches, but trust in the living God who gives richly all things to enjoy.ST Mar 22, 1883+4 By doing good, being rich in good works, and being ready to distribute and willing to share, they lay up in store a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life.ST Mar 22, 1883+4 This generous sharing and giving freely is the duty of disciples to spread the light the world does not have, and ministers are to urge it by both example and teaching, for it is not God's will for them to seek to be rich.CET 205.2+1 Their hope is to rest in the living God rather than in wealth, turning from material self-interest toward enduring riches and life eternal through giving and service to others.ST Sep 22, 1914+1

Wealth itself does not make a person godly or superior, and gaining it at the cost of eternal interests can mean losing both worlds.1T 540.2 It is a blessing when honestly gained and used unselfishly as God's stewardship, blessing both its possessor and others, but wealth gained through overreaching or dishonesty brings no reward from God.ST Sep 22, 1914+2 Trusting in uncertain riches and using wealth for self-glory instead of serving God and people turns the heart toward worldly things rather than enduring riches.MH 212.3–213.2

Money and means are talents committed by the Lord to be used to His name's glory, owned by God and lent for a little while to prove and test whether stewards will be generous in good works and ready to share.16MR 256.1–2+2 Prosperity is a trust whose blessings are to be acknowledged with thanksgiving and used for good, to advance God's cause and support His work through tithes and offerings.Ms 25, 1896, par. 23–24 The steward must give account of this trust to God, not to husband or wife, and God will require His own with increase, so faithfulness in distributing prepares for the Judgment.2T 59.2 A selfish and unwise use injures the user and is unfaithfulness in trust, while a wise employment confers its benefits for the saving of souls, and unused talents are lost and given to those who will use them.16MR 256.1–2+1 When people consecrate themselves to God and use their gifts rightly, wealth serves others, but when they trust in riches or turn their gifts to wrong purposes, those trusted riches and misapplied gifts become harmful temptations.Ms 25, 1896, par. 23–24 This charge belongs with the good profession of 1 Timothy 6:12 made true under obedience, demanding that self be crucified and the world with its corrupting lust be turned out, because selfish world-loving, however high the profession, leaves no part in the kingdom with the sanctified, pure and holy.16MR 256.1–2+1

Using wealth to support God's work, help save souls, and bless the needy lays up treasure in heaven and a good foundation for the future, and is a safe investment that makes a person rich toward God and rich in good works.2T 681.2+3 This means transferring affection from earthly riches to the eternal inheritance and heavenly treasure, rather than hoarding wealth or loving it more than God and neighbor.2T 681.2+3 Riches are entrusted for God's glory, not to be loved, hoarded, or treasured as an end in itself, for love of worldly possessions turns the heart from God and can cost a person eternal life.ST Mar 11, 1889+1

Giving is a willing response to accountability to God, not an offering made under pressure.Lt 68, 1899, par. 5–8 Systematic, generous giving for God's work, each setting aside as prospered and taking hold of the tithing system to sustain the warfare against moral darkness and sound the last message of warning, lays up a good foundation for the future so that the giver may lay hold on eternal life.ST Apr 29, 1875+3 Giving is not merely an act of human sympathy but duty to God and a way to support the spread of truth and the salvation of others, and wealth invested in that work becomes treasure in heaven as saved people in turn help others and the work grows.Lt 68, 1899, par. 5–8+1 Such giving keeps benevolence active, strengthens love for God and other people, counters selfishness, and makes believers coworkers with Christ.ST Oct 2, 1879 Through each investment in the cause of present truth contributors become more devoted, committed, and wedded to it, store up this foundation, and when all adopt the system the treasury will be full without contributors left poorer.ST Apr 29, 1875+2 Being faithful in earthly possessions, which are least, by judicious use and every investment in God's cause lays up treasure in heaven, increases love for His cause, proves faithfulness in every other respect, and gives friends to receive the faithful steward into everlasting habitations when earthly possessions fail.ST Nov 25, 1886 The promise is connected with faithful stewardship of what God entrusts, not with giving as a way to earn salvation.ST Oct 2, 1879

Everyone can lay up this treasure, for even the smallest talent or humblest service, when offered as a consecrated gift sincerely and in love to God, is acceptable through Christ's merits.Ms 98, 1893, par. 10–11 Being rich in good works and ready to share and give includes distributing from abundance to relieve the poor, and sharing kindly words, loving deeds, mercy and benevolence can help bring others to Christ.RH Feb 18, 1902+1 Such blessing of others also brings a blessing to the giver.2T 649.2–650.1

Faith by itself is dead and never saves unless it is shown to be genuine and justified by works, for laying up a good foundation for the future means standing for truth, laboring in the strength of the risen Lord rather than one's own, and reproducing Christ's character by being rich in good works, generous, ready to distribute and willing to share.4T 596.2+3 This requires getting from beneath the rubbish of the world and overcoming love of the world, selfishness, greed, penuriousness, self-interest, closeness in deal, overreaching, and unjust treatment of others, which reproach the truth, disgust others, and oppose practical benevolence.2T 158.2–159.2+1 Such littleness must be put away and replaced by sanctification through the truth and by letting light shine in noble self-sacrifice and benevolence so others glorify the Father, or displeasure and judgment will follow.Lt 16, 1868, par. 13–15 Acceptance with God is not on the ground of good works, but reward will be according to works.ST May 30, 1895

Laying the foundation means growing in grace and in knowledge of the divine will, learning to be self-denying and self-forgetful, continually seeking how much good may be done, working deep and not merely upon the surface, keeping working and progressing, searching the heart critically, and making thorough work for eternity.Lt 23, 1875, par. 7 Preparation for the heavenly life requires overcoming discordant traits to become fit for its peace and harmony, and being true to oneself and to God.1T 705.2–3+1 It requires determined effort in the name of Christ the Conqueror to overcome every unnatural craving of appetite, thereby placing oneself in right relation to life with health and God's favor and gaining a right hold on immortal life.LC1 185.2 A life spent in frivolity and heedless levity forms no such foundation, which comes instead through genuine experience of faith and hope in God.Lt 28, 1897, par. 12–13

Now are the golden moments to crowd every possible good deed into life by staying wide awake, employing every ability for God, doing duty to fellow men, and making heaven a storehouse by investing both means and works for God there while remaining separate from the spirit and practices of the world and imitating the Redeemer's life rather than boasting.Lt 19d, 1874, par. 1–3 This means waking from lethargy and sleep, recognizing there is no time for selfishness or idleness, giving time to work, answering the call for unselfish self-sacrificing workers, enlisting in the Lord's army, doubling diligence to secure eternal life without failure, and being accepted as coworkers who bear fruit to His glory.Lt 59, 1874, par. 17–19+1 Laying a sure foundation and getting a good hold on the better, immortal life must be done now while probation lasts by becoming converted, digging deep, trusting less in self, and honoring God with the life instead of being occupied with self and exerting influence in the wrong direction, which gives an anchor so one no longer drifts and begins to know happiness in this life.10MR 30.1 Capability even when consecrated to usefulness cannot substitute for genuine piety and correct religious experience, for through self-righteousness, carelessness, and the deceitfulness of sin confidence and the eternal reward may be lost and false hope end with hypocrites and unbelievers outside the city of God, yet heaven is worth any and every effort and to lose it makes life a terrible failure.Lt 59, 1874, par. 17–19

Every righteous deed, every resisted temptation, and every overcome evil is written in the ledger of heaven, so an earnest conscientious faithful life builds a firm foundation for the future by which eternal life is gained.MYP 181.3+2 Self-denial and loving deeds that use riches for good works, give to the needs of God's cause, and help the needy lay up enduring treasure in heaven, and every deed of righteousness will be remembered even when the doer considers it unremarkable.2T 683.3 A life of faithful obedience in this way lays up a good foundation, and its faithful influence continues into eternity beyond this life.4T 432.2+1

Love of gain can draw people away from God and imperil salvation, so those who have wealth must not trust in it or become proud but must trust in God, do good, and share willingly to lay up a secure foundation and take hold of eternal life.ST Feb 19, 1902 Many grasp this world with both hands and lose hold of the eternal world, and unless the spirit of sacrifice revives souls will die, with those who have means and do not give among the lost, while money given to God's cause increases and becomes durable, safe and sure riches in heaven.Lt 11, 1856, par. 13 Abundance must be used to advance the cause of truth rather than allowed to keep the heart from God's love, for those who have it need Christ and must grow in grace to receive the rich reward.1T 665.2

Laying up the foundation is done by putting means to work to help fellow laborers, to establish school work and lasting memorials of Bible truth in many places, and to come to the relief of missionaries laboring to their utmost in foreign countries, as in Germany.Lt 121, 1902, par. 15–17 Men in responsible places and men of wealth, with superior qualifications, means and influence, are to treat these as precious gifts lent in trust to be increased and returned to the Lord by enabling His workers to do good and advance His glory, so that in New York and other great cities centers of influence may be established from which Bible truth in its simplicity shall go forth.9T 115.3–4 Gospel ministers secure the future by having resources in hand to lead out in good enterprises, to build churches, to advance the cause in every line, and to push the work with zeal.Ms 33, 1912, par. 11+2 Consecrating influence and money to help advance the work lays up treasure for the future.Lt 62, 1899, par. 3–5 Limiting the worker in wages by voice or pen when accounts are audited discourages and depresses him and deprives him of the resources to do this work.Ms 142, 1903, par. 141–142

Now is the time to use money for God and to abound in good deeds, for means have value only as used to advance the kingdom and to send truth to fellow men in other nations.CET 214.2+1 One soul saved in the kingdom is worth more than all earthly riches, and using wealth to win souls is of greater importance than gaining earthly riches.CET 214.2+2 Each person is answerable to God for the souls of all met, with greater responsibility where connections are closer, for all are one great brotherhood whose great interest is the welfare of fellow men.CET 214.2+3 There is not a moment to lose, past carelessness must be redeemed by earnest effort now, lest guilt and the blood of souls be found on the garments, and no child of God is excused from joining Christ in the great work of saving others.CET 214.2+2 Using wealth for good works and the service of God in this way lays up a lasting foundation for the future.TBC1872 108.2+1

Active benevolence with tithes and offerings is a vital principle of Christianity required of all, rich and poor and young wage-earners, each setting aside a portion as prospered, which ministers must teach.5T 381.2 Giving through the tithing system to sustain the sounding of the last message of warning to the world is laying up the foundation, and when all adopt it the treasury will be full for carrying forward the work of salvation without contributors being left the poorer, while through every investment they become more wedded to the cause of present truth.MYP 304.2–305.1+1 Practicing it brings spiritual prosperity and gathers sheaves for the Lord of the harvest, while neglecting it hinders God's work and blocks the salvation of souls.5T 381.2 Close and unexpected tests will reveal who is faithful and worthy to receive the seal of the living God.5T 381.2 Pledges made under the influence of the Spirit and fulfilled through generous giving become treasure laid up in heaven, and faithful giving and keeping sacred vows to support the work form a good foundation for the future.4T 473.1–2+1

Caring for orphaned children by self-sacrificing love lays the sure foundation, and everlasting life is the reward of the self-sacrificing, which those who would receive it must not neglect.2T 333.1+1 Using possessions to do good, being rich in good works and ready to share, and using God-given abilities and resources to serve others lays up treasure in heaven.Lt 15, 1869, par. 11–12+1 Christians are to live for Christ rather than for self, wisely giving to others from the mercy received, looking beyond earthly things toward eternal life.ST Sep 12, 1895 Making property secure means placing it in the nail-pierced hand of Christ by giving it to God, which marks it as His and seals it with His unchangeableness so it is kept safe for the future.9T 51.1 Retaining possessions brings eternal loss, while enjoying substance means using it for the blessing of the suffering and to relieve suffering rather than refusing or holding back through carelessness or covetousness.9T 51.1+1

For those growing old this means making wise disposal of means while able, freely giving back to the Lord what already belongs to Him, selling property and land not needed for homes, putting idle money to use to advance the work and give the warning to the world, in view of soon giving account of stewardship.Ms 58, 1902, par. 6–7 One blessed with means is steward of property for an uncertain time and may be released by death and not retain stewardship until Jesus comes, so business must be personally seen to and thoroughly arranged, rendering to God the things that are God's, allowing nothing to intervene to obscure heavenly things, and enabling self and all connected to serve God with all powers.Lt 18, 1868, par. 5–6+1 Affairs must not be left at loose ends in confusion bringing contention and quarrels over possessions, nor property cast out of hand into the hands of disobedient unfaithful children, but movement must be cautious and discreet lest Satan outgeneral.Lt 18, 1868, par. 5–6 Hoarding means for children does not secure the future but endangers both parents and heirs, placing property as a stumbling-block toward perdition, making men selfish and avaricious, dwarfing religious growth, and storing wealth that cannot be used.RH Dec 15, 1874 Leaving such accumulation is nine times out of ten an even greater curse to the heirs, causing them to rely on parents' property and to fail in this life and generally to fail utterly to secure the life to come, while the true legacy is useful labor and an example showing money's true value is only in relieving one's own wants, supplying others' necessities, and advancing God's cause.RH Dec 15, 1874

An earnest, conscientious, faithful young man in school is an inestimable treasure, looked on lovingly by angels, who builds a firm foundation because every righteous deed, every resisted temptation, and every overcome evil is written in the ledger of heaven.MYP 181.3 Children and youth must build now on Christ, and students fresh from medical college should heed the charge to do good, be rich in good works, be ready to distribute and willing to share, and not be highminded nor trust in uncertain riches but trust in the living God, instead of questioning rules, pursuing self-indulgence, and encouraging rebellion that demoralizes the institution.Ms 4b, 1885, par. 6 Those investing in worldly schemes, dishonoring God, and breaking the Sabbath are not laying the foundation, for riches belong to God and must not keep the heart attached to earthly possessions.3T 549.4 Urgent preparation is required before too late: repentance, giving to God's work, and turning affections to God, with believers who have money in hand using it at once for the cause in return for Him who became poor that through His poverty they might be made rich.5T 154.4+1 Each opportunity to do good secures treasure and neglecting it imperils the soul, the steward should put resources to work while able rather than leave them idle or in others' hands as he prepares for Christ's return, and at judgment each is rewarded according to works.3T 249.2+1