in squandering this intrusted capital? Professed
Christians yearly expend an immense sum upon useless and pernicious
indulgences, while souls are perishing for the word of life. God is robbed
in tithes and offerings, while they consume upon the altar of destroying
lust more than they give to relieve the poor or for the support of the
gospel. If all who profess to be followers of Christ were truly
sanctified, their means, instead of being spent for needless and even
hurtful indulgences, would be turned into the Lord's treasury, and
Christians would set an example of temperance, self-denial, and
self-sacrifice. Then they would be the light of the world.

The world is given up to self-indulgence. "The lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eye, and the pride of life," control the masses of the people. But
Christ's followers have a holier calling. "Come out from among them, and
be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean." In the light
of God's word we are justified in declaring that sanctification cannot be
genuine which does not work this utter renunciation of the sinful pursuits
and gratifications of the world.

To those who comply with the conditions, "Come out from among them, and be
ye separate, ... and touch not the unclean," God's promise is, "I will
receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."(819) It is the privilege and the duty
of every Christian to have a rich and abundant experience in the things of
God. "I am the light of the world," said Jesus. "He that followeth Me
shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."(820) "The
path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto
the perfect day."(821) Every step of faith and obedience brings the soul
into closer connection with the Light of the world, in whom "there is no
darkness at all." The bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness shine upon
the servants of God, and they are to reflect His rays. As the stars tell
us that there is a great light in heaven with whose glory they are made
bright, so Christians are to make it manifest that there is a God on the
throne of the universe whose character is worthy of praise and imitation.
The graces of His Spirit, the purity and holiness of His character, will
be manifest in His witnesses.

Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, sets forth the rich blessings
granted to the children of God. He says: We "do not