EGW Quotes on Home Ownership: Security, Independence, and Country Living

Of course, it is a wonderful blessing to understand the importance of home ownership. Securing a home for your family brings security, independence, and a host of moral and spiritual benefits that are part of God's plan for our happiness and well-being.

The sense of being an owner of one's own home inspires a powerful desire for improvementAH 372.3+1. When people have a chance for independence of thought and action, they soon acquire skill in planning and devising for themselvesAH 372.3. This feeling of ownership helps individuals feel that they are men, not slaves, and enables them to regain their lost self-respect and moral independenceAH 372.3+1. In God's original plan for His people, every family was secured in its possession, which provided a safeguard against the extremes of both wealth and povertyTEd 29.5.

It is wise to seek security in home ownership, practicing economy and self-denial to achieve this goalAH 372.3+1. If spendthrift habits are put away, it is possible to have a home of one's own and means to draw upon in case of adversityAH 395.1. The ideal is often to purchase properties away from the cities, where families, and especially children, will not be surrounded by corrupting influences11MR 187.1+1. Land is a valuable possession11MR 187.1. God will help His people find such homes outside the citiesRH July 5, 1906, par. 30. This principle of ownership is so important that it even applies to children, who gain satisfaction and a sense of belonging when they have a room they know is their ownCG 111.3.

Here are some of the most relevant statements on this important subject for your encouragement:

Seek Security in Home Ownership—If the laws given by God had continued to be carried out, how different would be the present condition of the world, morally, spiritually, and temporally. Selfishness and self-importance would not be manifested as now, but each would cherish a kind regard for the happiness and welfare of others.... Instead of the poorer classes being kept under the iron heel of oppression by the wealthy, instead of having other men's brains to think and plan for them in temporal as well as in spiritual things, they would have some chance for independence of thought and action. The sense of being owners of their own homes would inspire them with a strong desire for improvement. They would soon acquire skill in planning and devising for themselves; their children would be educ...— AH 372.3 (1952)

Home Ownership and Savings Versus Spendthrift Habits—Brother and Sister B have not learned the lesson of economy.... They would use all as they pass along, were it ever so much. They would enjoy as they go and then, when affliction draws upon them, would be wholly unprepared.... Had Brother and Sister B been economical managers, denying themselves, they could ere this have had a home of their own and besides this have had means to draw upon in case of adversity. But they will not economize as o...— AH 395.1 (1952)

... and in the fiftieth, or year of jubilee, all landed property reverted to the original owner. Thus every family was secured in its possession, and a safeguard was afforded against the extremes either of wealth or of poverty— TEd 29.5 (2000)

When opportunity offers, our people should purchase properties away from the cities, on which are buildings already erected and fruit orchards already in bearing. Land is a valuable possession. Connected with our sanitariums there should be lands, small portions of which can be used for the h...— 11MR 187.1 (1990)

...uld be educated to habits of industry and economy, and the intellect would be greatly strengthened. They would feel that they are men, not slaves; and would be able to regain to a great degree their lost self-respect and moral independence. It is not impossible that deer might often be replaced by equally beautiful herds of cattle; that l...— HS 166.1 (1886)

...ober 30, 1902: “To parents who are living in the cities, the Lord is sending the warning cry, Gather your children into your own houses; gather them away from those who are disregarding the commandments of God, who are teaching and practising evil. Get out of the cities as fast as possible. Parents can secure small homes in the country, with land for cultivation, where the children will not be surrounded with the corrupting influences of city life. God will he...— RH July 5, 1906, par. 30 (1851)

To Keep Own Room Tidy—If the children have a room which they know is their own, and if they are taught how to keep it tidy and make it pleasant, they will have a sense of ownership—they will feel that they have within the home a home of their own, and will have a satisfacti...— CG 111.3 (1954)

... been sold in the United States. I must have money for running expenses, and I must pay my workers. The money that otherwise I should have to pay for rent, I now pay as interest on the money which I borrowed to secure this home. I am ready to let my place go as soon as the Lord signifies that this is His will and that my work ...— 18LtMs, Lt 43, 1903, par. 9

How many of these were reared in country homes. They knew little of luxury. They did not spend their youth in amusement. Many were forced to struggle with poverty and hardship. They early learned to work, and their active life in the open air gave vigor and elasticity to all their faculties. Forced to depend upon their own resources, they learned to combat difficulties and to surmount obstacles, and they gained courage and perseverance. They learned the lessons of self-reliance and self-control. Sheltered in a great degree from evil associations, they were satisfied with natural pleasures and ...— CL 15.2 (1946)

... pure and holy. How much better had the parents remained with their families in the country, where the influences are most favorable for physical and mental strength. Let the youth be taught to labor in tilling the soil, and let them sleep the sweet sleep of wearine...— AH 137.3 (1952)

10. Year of Jubilee—Every fiftieth year, the year of jubilee, every inheritance in the land was to be restored to its original owner. “In the year of jubilee ye shall return every man unto his possession,” God declared— 1BC 1112.2 (1953)

...se to follow their own sinful desires; and as the result, crime and wretchedness rapidly increased. Neither the marriage relation nor the rights of property were respected. Whoever coveted the wives or the possessions of his neighbor, took them by force, and men exulted in their deeds of violence. They delighted in destroying the life of animals; and ...— PP 91.3 (1890)

... seems as if the Lord led him to Kellyville to hear the truth. He had always lived in the city, but he made up his mind he would go in the country and make a country home for his family. “His country home is twenty miles from Sydney, and part of that had to be done by coach. As s...— 8LtMs, Ms 22, 1893, par. 17

Let your wants be few; economize, economize. You two can save means if you will. You have not, like William Gage, house rent to pay, neither have you three children and one or two girls to feed. You have your two selves only. William Gage could have laid up something. You can lay by half of your wages. If you have a will and determination in the matter, you can save means— 2LtMs, Lt 11, 1872, par. 6 (1869)

In many provinces the estates were held by the nobles, and the laboring classes were only tenants; they were at the mercy of their landlords, and were forced to submit to their exorbitant demands. The burden of supporting both the Church an...— GC88 279.3 (1888)