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--- en:operating_principles:dtm:publishing_church_growth_model:objections:too_expensive [2026/04/03 11:11] – [Producers or Consumers?] jpauldietrich
+++ en:operating_principles:dtm:publishing_church_growth_model:objections:too_expensive [2026/05/28 08:33] (current) – [Principles of Financial Success] jpauldietrich
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 > A flood of light is shining from the word of God, and  there must be an awakening to neglected opportunities. When all are faithful in giving back to God His own in tithes and offerings, the way will be opened for the world to hear the message for this time. If the hearts of God’s people were filled with love for Christ, if every church member were thoroughly imbued with the spirit of self-sacrifice, if all manifested thorough earnestness, **there would be no lack of funds** for home or foreign missions. **Our resources would be multiplied**; **a thousand doors of usefulness would be opened**, and we should be invited to enter. Had the purpose of God been carried out by His people in giving to the world the message of mercy, Christ would, ere this, have come to the earth, and the saints would have received their welcome into the city of God. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p118.2497#highlight=118.2497,0:118.2497,841|6T 449.4]]
+===== Long-term or Short-term? =====
+In the context of an evangelistic campaign:
+Consider the money spent and consumed on:
+  * Rent for loudspeakers
+  * Rent and fuel for the generator
+  * Rent for chairs
+  * Food
+  * Travel
+Now, consider money spent on literature. Literature remains useful long-term. It may be passed along from person to person, and even from village to village.
 ===== Producers or Consumers? =====
@@ Line 37: / Line 51: @@
 > **When converted to Christ, many will become agencies** in the hand of God to work for others of their own class. They will feel that a dispensation of the gospel is committed to them for those who have made this world their all. **Time and money** will be consecrated to God, **talent and influence** will be devoted to the work of winning souls to Christ. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p135.1077&index=0#highlight=135.1077,0:135.1077,345|MH 216.3]]
+===== Principles of Financial Success =====
+See [[..:what_do_you_have_in_your_hand|What Do You Have In Your Hand?]].
+> From the beginning of our missionary work, we have been much perplexed to know how we could secure funds adequate to the support of missionary enterprises in the fields which Providence has opened before us. Missionary work is to be widely extended, and those who believe the truth should avoid using their means in purchasing that which is unnecessary. We are not to study our convenience, but rather our necessities. We shall have to bind about our wants in order that there shall be means in the treasury to raise the standard of truth in new territory. Seek God; believe in him who has infinite resources. If we move wisely, putting our ability into the work, the good hand of God will be upon us. We must push forward the work, not waiting to see the funds in the treasury before we undertake it. God forbid that when his providence summons us to enter the fields white already to harvest, that our steps should be retarded by the cry, “Our treasury is  exhausted. We have no means to sustain the workers that are already in the field, and it is impossible for us to enlarge our operations.” [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p407.231#highlight=407.231,0:407.231,1096|SpTA03 50.1]]
+> In acquiring an education, many students would gain a most valuable training if they would become self-sustaining. Instead of incurring debts or depending on the self-denial of their parents, let young men and young women depend on themselves. They will thus learn the value of money, the value of time, strength, and opportunities, and will be under far less temptation to indulge idle and spendthrift habits. The lessons of economy, industry, self-denial, practical business management, and steadfastness of purpose, thus mastered, would prove a most important part of their equipment for the battle of life. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p1976.938#highlight=1976.938,0:1976.938,610|TEd 134.5]]
+> As new fields are opened, the calls for means are constantly increasing. If ever we needed to exercise economy it is now. All who labor in the cause should realize the importance of closely following the Saviour’s example of self-denial and economy. They should see in the means they handle a trust which God has committed to them, and they should feel under obligation to exercise tact and financial ability in the use of their Lord’s money. Every penny should be carefully treasured. A cent seems like a trifle, but a hundred cents make a dollar, and rightly spent may be the means of saving a soul from death. If all the means which has been wasted by our own people in self-gratification had been devoted to the cause of God, there would be no empty treasuries, and missions could be established in all parts of the world.
+> Let the members of the church now put away their pride and lay off their ornaments. Each should keep a missionary box at hand, and drop into it every penny he is tempted to waste in self-indulgence. But something more must be done than merely to dispense with superfluities. Self-denial must be practiced. Some of our comfortable and desirable things must be sacrificed. The preachers must sharpen up their message, not merely assailing self-indulgence, and pride in dress, but presenting Jesus, His life of self-denial and sacrifice. Let love, piety, faith be cherished in the heart, and the precious fruits will appear in the life. [[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p430.207(430.208)&index=0#highlight=430.207,0:430.208,633|1NL 29.4]]
+> Men will invest means in that which they value the most, and which they think will bring them the greatest profits. When men will run great risks and invest much in worldly enterprises, but are unwilling to venture or invest much in the cause of God to send the truth to their fellow-men, they give evidence that they value their earthly treasure just as much more highly than the heavenly as their works show... GW92 51.3