Sunday
February 5
1. IS THE MONEY STRETCHING AS IT SHOULD?
a. In what predicament do many find themselves nowadays, and what is often the reason? Haggai 1:5, 6, 9, 10.
The eye is clouded by ambition, avarice, and gain without godliness. The people do not see that they are putting their treasure into a bag with holes. It is cankered and moth-eaten. There is no progress heavenward. The gross attractions of earth hold their affections. The soul starves and becomes dwarfed for want of spiritual food, the fresh manna from heaven. The world has come in between the soul and God.-The Signs of the Times, December 1, 1887.
The Lord made a covenant with Israel that, if they would obey His commandments, He would give them rain in due season, the land should yield her increase, and the trees of the field should yield their fruit. . . . But if they disregarded His requirements, He would deal with them entirely contrary to all this. His curse should rest upon them in place of His blessing. . . .
Those who are selfishly withholding their means need not be surprised if God's hand scatters. That which should have been devoted to the advancement of the work and cause of God, but which has been withheld, may be entrusted to a reckless son, and he may squander it. A fine horse, the pride of a vain heart, may be found dead in the stable. Occasionally a cow may die. Losses of fruit or other crops may come. God can scatter the means He has lent to His stewards, if they refuse to use it to His glory."-Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 661, 662.
Monday
February 6
2. THE PROSPERITY OF THE GOD-FEARING
a. What is written about God-fearing Joseph, even when circumstances seemed to have turned hopelessly against him? Genesis 39:2-6, 20-23; 41:38-44.
The hill of progress is not to be climbed without effort. No one need expect to be carried along to the prize, either in religious or secular matters, independently of his own exertions. The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, yet he that dealeth with a slack hand will become poor. The persevering and industrious are not only happy themselves, but they contribute largely to the happiness of others. Competency and comfort are not ordinarily attained except at the price of earnest industry. Pharaoh showed his appreciation of this trait of character when he said to Joseph: 'If thou knowest any men of activity among them [Joseph's brethren], then make them rulers over my cattle' (Genesis 47:6).-Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 180.
b. What were the coworkers of God-fearing Daniel forced to realize? Daniel 6:1-5.
c. Describe the kind of respect which godly Esther earned from the king of Persia. Esther 5:1-3; 7:2; 8:3-8.
d. How only was king Uzziah able to enjoy prosperity? 2 Chronicles 26:3-5.
e. What is the secret whereby we each can find favor in the sight of God and human beings? Proverbs 3:1-4; Proverbs 16:7.
God's people are kept in prosperity only by His mercy, through the care of His heavenly messengers. He will not uphold and guard a people who disregard His counsel and despise His reproofs.-Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 176.
f. Explain the main key to our success in any business activity. Deuteronomy 29:9; 2 Chronicles 20:20 (last part).
g. What promise is assured to all who are diligent in this regard? Proverbs 22:29.
Tuesday
February 7
3. FLEE THE TEMPTATIONS
a. How can we reconcile in our mind the fact that the wicked so often appear to prosper as much or even more than the righteous? Psalms 37:35-38; 73:2-20.
b. With this in mind, what should we consider in business? Proverbs 11:1; 20:23.
An honest man, according to Christ's measurement, is one who will manifest unbending integrity. Deceitful weights and false balances, with which many seek to advance their interests in the world, are abomination in the sight of God. Yet many who profess to keep the commandments of God are dealing with false weights and false balances. When a man is indeed connected with God, and is keeping His law in truth, his life will reveal the fact; for all his actions will be in harmony with the teachings of Christ. He will not sell his honor for gain. His principles are built upon the sure foundation, and his conduct in worldly matters is a transcript of his principles. Firm integrity shines forth as gold amid the dross and rubbish of the world. Deceit, falsehood, and unfaithfulness may be glossed over and hidden from the eyes of man, but not from the eyes of God. The angels of God, who watch the development of character and weigh moral worth, record in the books of heaven these minor transactions which reveal character. If a workman in the daily vocations of life is unfaithful and slights his work, the world will not judge incorrectly if they estimate his standard in religion according to his standard in business.
'He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much' (Luke 16:10). It is not the magnitude of the matter that makes it fair or unfair. As a man deals with his fellowmen, so will he deal with God. He that is unfaithful in the mammon of unrighteousness, will never be entrusted with the true riches. The children of God should not fail to remember that in all their business transactions they are being proved, weighed in the balances of the sanctuary."-Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 310, 311.
c. What characterizes the work ethic of the faithful Christian? Romans 12:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12.
Wednesday
February 8
4. NOTEWORTHY OR NOTORIOUS?
a. As we have followed the Lord's requirements, we see how He has blessed and prospered us abundantly. Wherein lies our greatest danger now? Deuteronomy 4:5-9; 8:11-18.
b. What must all who have become well-favored in material means ever keep in mind, especially when relating to their fellow human beings? Luke 12:15.
c. In doing business, what should we consider? Proverbs 22:1; Ecclesiastes 7:1.
Some of the Sabbathkeepers who say to the world that they are looking for Jesus' coming, and that they believe we are having the last message of mercy, give way to their natural feelings, and barter, and trade, and are a proverb among unbelievers for their keenness in trade, for being sharp, and always getting the best end of a bargain. Such would better lose a little and exert a better influence in the world, and a happier influence among brethren, and show that this world is not their god.-Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 150.
d. What summarizes the attitude we should have in every business dealing? Luke 6:31; Philippians 2:4.
You are to always place yourself in the position of the one with whom you deal, and see how you would feel under similar circumstances; then act as you would have others act toward you, that no shadow may be cast upon the precious cause of truth. It must not be reproached for the sake of gaining a few dollars or cents. Let no occasion ever be given for anyone to say that Seventh-day Adventists ever will do mean actions. Contempt will be what they will reap. Let all our business transactions stand in a pure, untarnished light before the world and with those of our faith. Do not let your course of action be of that character that it requires explanations in order to make it appear anyway in a favorable light.-Medical Ministry, p. 171.
Thursday
February 9
5. CHRIST'S WAY
a. What experience gives hope to persons who realize that their business dealings might not have always been right before God? Luke 19:8-10; Ezekiel 33:15, 16.
Those who profess to be followers of Christ, and who deal in an unrighteous manner, are bearing false witness against the character of a holy, just, and merciful God. Every converted soul will, like Zacchaeus, signalize the entrance of Christ into his heart by an abandonment of the unrighteous practices that have marked his life. Like the chief publican, he will give proof of his sincerity by making restitution.-The Desire of Ages, p. 556.
b. Summarize the attitude Christ has given for our example. Luke 16:10; 22:27.
Jesus, in His thirty years of seclusion at Nazareth, toiled and rested, ate and slept, from week to week and from year to year, the same as His humble contemporaries. He called no attention to Himself as a marked personage; yet He was the world's Redeemer, the adored of angels, doing, all the time, His Father's work, living out a lesson that should remain for humanity to copy to the end of time.
This essential lesson of contented industry in the necessary duties of life, however humble, is yet to be learned by the greater portion of Christ's followers. If there is no human eye to criticize our work, nor voice to praise or blame, it should be done just as well as if the Infinite One Himself were personally to inspect it. We should be as faithful in the minor details of our business as we would in the larger affairs of life."-Child Guidance, p. 359.
Friday
February 10
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Name some biblical experiences that provide hope for our business life.
2. When we see a chance to bargain, what should we take into consideration?