Ellen
White on Speculation
“The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been
given us to proclaim to the world. The proclamation of these truths is to be
our work. The world is to be warned, and God’s people are to be true to the
trust committed to them. They
are not to engage in speculation, neither are they to enter into business
enterprises with unbelievers; for this would hinder them in their God-given
work.” {9T 19.2}
“I was shown that it is a dangerous experiment for our people to
engage in speculation. They thereby place themselves on the enemy’s ground,
subject to great temptations, disappointments, trials, and losses. Then comes a feverish unrest, a longing desire to obtain means
more rapidly than present circumstances will admit. Their surroundings are
accordingly changed, in hope of making more money. But frequently their
expectations are not realized, and they become discouraged and go backward
rather than forward. This has been the case with some in—. They are backsliding
from God.” {CS 237.1}
Note by Ron: Gold and silver trading is a ponzi
scheme. Why? Because the price is engineered by the bankers.
They regulate the rise and fall of the value to suit their evil purposes
relative to inside trading which is possessing fore
knowledge as to how best profit from price rigging. Thus, it is gambling to
trade in such commodities. Speculation in land and mines is an attempt to serve
God and mammon.
An acquaintance of mine dealt in quite large amounts of gold and
silver and he was prompted by the Holy Spirit to get out of it. He said it was
nothing but a ponzi scheme. They are selling gold and
silver on paper and if all the folk in the world cashed in their paper assests, they would have nothing because there is not
enough gold and silver reserve to honor the contracts sold on paper. When
things really do crash, a lot of folk are going to be left holding a piece of
worthless paper! God is not in such dishonest dealing.
Another acquaintance of mine believes I am impoverishing God’s
people by advising them according to the Holy Spirit, to NOT engage in
speculation of any kind. This is similar to what the Israelites felt regarding
Moses. They thought he had misled them OUT TOO FAR into the wilderness. Some
think I am leading God’s people out too far from their mammon interests versus
God’s Word on this issue. And this particular acquaintance has solicited funds
from God’s people for doing full time labor in the cause.
Some scorn the church for the loss of millions in the stock
market, but buying gold and silver is just as risky because of how the price is
controlled by the bankers. It will be seen within the auspices of this document
that this activity is not after the order of God.
The world bankers intend to go on a credit/debit system whereby
they remove all gold and silver as currency and enforce a system whereby they
give one credits for work done, but no currency. When this occurs, gold and
silver holders will lose everything for these commodities will be outlawed. End
note.
Ellen White on Speculation
God desires His
servants to avoid all speculation. Satan may pave the way by making the
first investment successful, but O, how bitter will be the final outcome! If the professing Christian has success in his first
speculation, his ruin is almost certain. Visionary schemes are wildly entered into as schemers present
promising enterprises, which they declare will pay a large percentage on all
money invested. Good men are fascinated and deceived.... {UL 21.3}
Instead of entering into speculation, let those who know the
truth find some steady, honest employment, in which they can earn their living
in a way that glorifies God.
Those who encourage the
thirst for speculation will extinguish the light that God has given to guide
their feet aright. Making money easily, they will spend it unwisely, and their
prodigality will be their ruin.
To maintain their habits of selfish indulgence, they must continue to make
money rapidly. The effort to make money fast enough to meet their extravagant expenses, draws many into the gambling hell.... {UL 21.4}
Land and Mining
Speculation
“The Lord cannot glorify His name through ministers who attempt
to serve God and mammon. We
are not to urge men to invest in mining stock, or in city lots, holding out the
inducement that the money invested will be doubled in a short time. Our message
for this time is, “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags
which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth
not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also.” [Luke 12:33, 34.] {GW 341.1}
Just before the Israelites entered the land of Canaan, Satan
sought to seduce them, and lead them into idolatry, thinking to compass their
ruin. He works in the same way in our day. There are young men whom God would
accept as workers together with Him, but they have become absorbed in the
real-estate craze, and have sold their interest in the truth for the prospect
of worldly advantage. {GW 341.2}
There are many who hold themselves away from the service of God,
because they desire worldly gain; and Satan uses them to lead others astray.
The tempter comes to men as he came to Jesus, presenting the glory of the
world; and when a measure of success attends their ventures, they become greedy for more gain, lose
their love for the truth, and their spirituality dies. The immortal inheritance, the love of
Jesus, is eclipsed to their vision by the fleeting prospects of this world. {GW
341.3}
Now, in probationary time, we are all on test and trial. Satan
is working with his deceiving enchantments and bribes, and some will think that
by their schemes they have made a wonderful speculation. But lo, as they
believe that they are rising securely, and are carrying themselves loftily in
their selfishness, they learn that God can scatter faster than they can
gather.—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 17a, 6. {CS 237.3}
Do not influence members to engage in business speculation—I have been shown of God the sinfulness
of the course you have been pursuing. You have engaged in mining and real-estate business, and while
an acknowledged minister of the gospel, you have worked upon the minds of your
brethren, and have influenced them to invest their means in real estate and in
mining shares. You told
them the investment would bring large returns; that they would more than treble
their money, and could help the cause so much more. You represented that this
was a golden opportunity which you did not want them to lose, and urged them to
avail themselves of the advantages that God had placed right within their
reach. With your powers of exaggeration you represented the matter in such a
light that many were deceived, and some lost their money, which should have
gone into the cause of God.—Testimonies on the Case of Elder E. P. Daniels, 71
(Ph 96). {PaM 66.2}
Unwise Investments
[At a time like this,
when the spirit of speculation is rife in the world, and some even of the
people of God are catching the spirit, and are calling upon others to unite
with them in investing means in some great scheme or series of schemes that is
said to be sure to bring large returns, thereby enriching the individuals and making
it possible for them to give large donations to the cause, it seems appropriate
to publish in the Recorder the words of caution and advice on this subject
spoken by Sister White to the brethren assembled in camp-meeting at Los
Angeles, California, August 15, 1905.] {PUR May 18, 1911, par. 1}
A few weeks ago, while
I was attending the camp-meeting at San Jose, some of our brethren presented
before me what they considered wonderful opportunities to invest means in
mining and railroad stock, that would bring large
returns. They seemed confident of success, and spoke of the good they would do
with the profits they expected to receive. {PUR May 18, 1911, par. 2}
Others were present,
and seemed interested to see how I would receive their proposition. I
told them that such investments were very uncertain.
They could not be sure that these enterprises would succeed. I spoke to them of
the everlasting reward that is assured to those who lay up their treasures in
heaven; but in these uncertain ventures, I begged them, for Christ’s
sake, to stop right where they were. {PUR May 18, 1911,
par. 3}
In the night season I was instructed to tell God’s people that it
is not according to His will that those who believe in His near coming should
invest their means in mining stock. This would be burying
our Lord’s talent in the earth. Much was presented, but I will say only a few
words at this time. I will read a copy of a letter I wrote to one of the
brethren I have mentioned: San Jose, Cal., July 2, 1905. {PUR May 18, 1911,
par. 4}
Especially Workers in the
Cause of God Should not Speculate
“The energies of the minister are all needed for his high
calling. His best powers belong to God. He should not engage in speculation or in any other business that would turn
him aside from his great work. “No man that warreth,”
Paul declared, “entangleth himself with the affairs
of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” 2
Timothy 2:4. Thus the apostle emphasized the minister’s need of unreserved
consecration to the Master’s service. The minister who is wholly consecrated to
God refuses to engage in business that would hinder him from giving himself
fully to his sacred calling. He is not striving for earthly honor or riches;
his one purpose is to tell others of the Saviour, who gave Himself to bring to
human beings the riches of eternal life. His highest desire is not to lay up
treasure in this world, but to bring to the attention of the indifferent and
the disloyal the realities of eternity. He may be asked to engage in enterprises
which promise large worldly gain, but to such temptations he returns the
answer, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose
his own soul?” Mark 8:36. {AA 365.3}
“The people of God, who have been blessed with great light in
regard to the truth for this time, should not forget that they are to be
waiting and watching for the coming of their Lord in the clouds of heaven. Let
them not forget that they are to put off the works of darkness, and put on the
armor of light. Let no man set up his idols of gold, or
silver, or lands, and give the service of his heart to this world, and to its
interests. There is a mania for speculating in
land, pervading both city and country. The old safe, healthful paths to
competence are losing popularity. The idea of accumulating substantial means by
the moderate gains of industry and frugality, is an
idea that is scorned by many, as no longer suited to this progressive age. {CS
231.1}
The desire to engage in speculation, in buying up country and
city lots, or anything that promises sudden and exorbitant gains, has reached a
fever heat; and mind, and thought, and labor are all directed toward securing
all that is possible of the treasures of earth in the shortest possible time.
Some of our youth bid fair to be hastened on to ruin, because of this feverish
grasping for riches. This desire for gain opens the door of the heart to the
temptations of the enemy. And the temptations that come are of such an alluring
nature, that there are some who cannot resist them.... {CS 231.2}
The Spirit of Gain Getting
The spirit of gain
getting, of making haste to be rich, of this all-absorbing worldliness, is
painfully contradictory to our faith and doctrines. Should the Lord most high be pleased to
impart His Holy Spirit, and seek to revive His work, how many would be
hungering for the heavenly manna, and thirsting for the waters of life? ... {CS
231.3}
I see there is danger of some of our brethren saying, as did the
foolish rich man, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up
for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” Many are forgetting
that they are God’s servants, and are saying, “Tomorrow shall be as this day
and much more abundant.” God is looking on your every business
transaction. Be on your guard. It is time that deep, earnest thought should be
given to laying up treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, not thieves break through and steal.—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 17a, 4, 5 [“The Unwise Use
of Money and the Spirit of Speculation”]. {CS 232.1}
Some will strike out
into flattering speculative money-making schemes, and others will quickly catch
the spirit of speculation. It is just what they want, and they will engage in
lines of speculation that take the mind off from the sacred preparation that is
essential for their souls in order for them to be prepared to meet the trials
which will come in these last days. {CS 234.1}
The enemy of souls has
his plans carefully laid, and he will try in every possible way to carry them
to success. Something after this order, [Reference is here made to a plan
for land and mine speculation to be promoted among Seventh-day Adventists, with
a large part of the anticipated gains dedicated to the Lord’s work.—Compiler.]
a plan that promises to be as gracious and successful as this, has been started
a good many times among our people. But when the time came
that they expected great success, it proved to be an entire failure.
That confused the minds of the people. They had gotten into speculation, and they liked that plan
better than hard work and going right on as we have done usually, laboring
perseveringly and trusting in the Lord.... {CS
234.2}
Note by Ron: There is
an important principle involved here (above).
Diverting Minds from
the Truth
Every movement of this
order, which comes in to excite the desire to get riches quickly by
speculation, takes the minds of the people away from the most solemn truths
that ever were given to mortals. There may be encouraging prospects for a time,
but the end of the matter is failure. The Lord endorses no such
movements. If this work is sanctioned, many would be attracted by these
speculative schemes that could not in any other way be led away from the work
of presenting the solemn truths that must be given to the people at this
time.—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 17, 15-19. {CS 234.3}
Chapter 46—The Temptation to Speculate
Satan has destroyed
many souls by leading them to place themselves in the way of temptation. He
comes to them as he came to Christ, tempting them to love the world. He tells
them that they may invest with profit in this or that enterprise, and in good
faith they follow his dictation. {CS 236.1}
Soon they are tempted
to swerve from their integrity in order to make as good bargains for themselves
as possible. Their course may be perfectly lawful, according to the world’s
standard of right, and yet not bear the test of the law of God. Their motives
are called in question by their brethren, and they are suspected of
overreaching to serve themselves, and thus is sacrificed that precious
influence which should have been sacredly guarded for the benefit of the cause
of God. The business which might be a financial success in the hands of a sharper who will sell his integrity for worldly gain, would
be entirely inappropriate for a follower of Christ. {CS 236.2}
All such speculations
are attended with unseen trials and difficulties, and are a fearful ordeal for
those who engage in them. Circumstances often occur which naturally cause
reflections to be cast upon the motives of these brethren; but although some
things may look decidedly wrong, these should not always be considered a true
test of character. Yet they often prove to be the turning point in one’s
experience and destiny. The character becomes transformed by the force of
circumstances under which the individual has placed himself. {CS 236.3}
A Dangerous Experiment
I was shown that it is
a dangerous experiment for our people to engage in speculation.
They thereby place themselves on the enemy’s ground, subject to
great temptations, disappointments, trials, and losses.
Then comes a feverish unrest, a longing
desire to obtain means more rapidly than present circumstances will admit.
Their surroundings are accordingly changed, in hope of making more money. But
frequently their expectations are not realized, and they become discouraged and
go backward rather than forward. This has been the case with some in—. They are
backsliding from God. {CS 237.1}
Had the Lord prospered some of our dear brethren in their
speculations, it would have proved their eternal ruin.
God loves His people, and He loves those who have been unfortunate. If they
will learn the lessons which He intends to teach them, their defeat will in the
end prove a precious victory. The love of the world has crowded out the love of
Christ. When the rubbish is cleared away from the door of the heart, and it is
thrown open in response to the invitation of Christ, He will come in and take
possession of the soul temple.—Testimonies for the Church 4:616-618. {CS 237.2}
Deceiving Enchantments
and Bribes
Now, in probationary
time, we are all on test and trial. Satan is working with his deceiving enchantments
and bribes, and some will think that by their schemes they have made a
wonderful speculation. But lo, as they believe that they are rising securely,
and are carrying themselves loftily in their selfishness, they learn that God
can scatter faster than they can gather.—Special Testimonies,
Series B, No. 17a, 6. {CS 237.3}
Misleading Prospects
Many have
conscientiously loaned their money to our institutions, that it may be used to
do a good work for the Master. But Satan sets in operation schemes that will
produce in the minds of our brethren a great desire to try their fortunes, as
in a lottery. One and still another are flattered by strong representations of
financial gain if they will only invest their money in lands; and they take
their means out of our institutions, and bury it in the earth, where the Lord’s
cause is not benefited. {CS 238.1}
Then if one is
successful, he is so elated over the fact that he has gained a few hundred dollars, that he decides to keep on getting money if he can.
He continues to invest in real estate or in mines.
The device of Satan is successful; in the place of increased funds flowing into
the treasury, there is withdrawal of means from our institutions, in
order that the owners may try their fortunes in the mining business or in land
speculation. The spirit of greed is fostered, and the naturally penurious man
begrudges every dollar that is called for to be used in the advancement of the
cause of God in the earth.—Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 17a, 8. {CS
238.2}
Speculation by Ministers
We are nearing the
close of time. We want not only to teach present truth in the pulpit, but to
live it out of the pulpit. Examine closely the foundation of your hope of
salvation. While you stand in the position of a herald of
truth, a watchman upon the walls of Zion, you cannot have your interest
interwoven with mining or real-estate business, and at the
same time do effectually the sacred work committed to your hands.
Where the souls of men are at stake, where eternal things are involved, the
interest cannot safely be divided. {CS 238.3}
This is especially so
in your case. While engaged in this business, you have not been cultivating
heartfelt piety. You have had a feverish desire to obtain means. You have
talked to many about the financial advantages to be
gained by investing in lands in—. Again and again you have been engaged in
picturing the advantages of these enterprises; and this while you were an
ordained minister of Christ, pledged to give your soul, body, and spirit to the
work of the salvation of souls. At the same time you were receiving money from
the treasury to support yourself and your family. Your talk was calculated to
draw the attention and money of our people away from our institutions and from
the business of promoting the Redeemer’s kingdom on the earth. Its tendency was
to beget in them a desire to invest their means where you assured them that it
would be doubled in a short time, and to flatter them with the prospect that
they could help the cause a great deal more by so doing.... {CS 239.1}
To Avoid Worldly
Entanglements
Especially should the
minister keep himself from every worldly entanglement, and bind himself to the
Source of all power, that he may represent correctly what it means to be a
Christian. He should cut loose from everything that would in any way divert his
mind from God and the great work for this time. Christ expects him, as His
employed servant, to be like Himself in mind, in thought, in word, in action.
He expects every man who opens the Scriptures to others, to work carefully and
intelligently, not exercising his powers unwisely, in a way to injure or overtask them, but so that he may be fitted to do good work
for the Lord.—Testimonies for the Church 5:530, 531. {CS 239.2}
Speculating in Land Near Our Institutions
I was instructed to
bear a testimony to our brethren, telling them that they must guard themselves
against unfair speculation in connection with the purchase and sale of land
near the school property. Every transaction in buying and selling must be
characterized by strictest integrity. Selfishness must not be indulged. The
principles for which our school shall stand, and which are to be taught the
students as part of their education, are to be cultivated and revealed by those
who closely connect themselves with the school interest. They must not, by
efforts for personal gain, counterwork the principles of Christian education
for which this school is to be established. {CS 240.1}
Day by day we are
making our record for time and for eternity. Let every action be
just and square, in selling as in buying. Let nothing of an overreaching
character be brought in, for that would discourage our brethren and
displease God. Large sacrifices have been made by the people in our churches in
order that this property might be secured for our school. Let not those who
secure advantages for themselves take unfair advantage of their brethren who
may need to settle near the school. Some who have the
spirit of speculation should be discouraged from coming to—, because they would
not be a blessing to the school, but a hindrance. {CS 240.2}
Let us remember that
we are standing in review before God, and that every unfair action to serve
self is recorded against us in the books of heaven. O, I entreat our brethren
to put away the spirit of commercialism. I pray that none may gather about the
school whose chief purpose is to advantage self. Let all seek to
excel in spiritual things, that the ambitious spirit may be changed to a spirit
of unselfishness. This change must be wrought in us if we would
be wholly approved of God.—Letter 72, 1909. {CS 240.3}
The Lure of Lotteries
Then there is some
lottery business connected with it, and one young man that goes there, obtains a
gold watch. What then? The watch may be genuine gold, it may be no fraud, but
ah, there is a fraud back of that, and that is the snare. If he has gained this
once, he will want to try it again. Oh, I would rather, if it had been a son of
mine, have him lying in his coffin than sporting that gold watch. Then, here
are other boys. He shows his watch to them, and then there is an itching with
them to try their luck in just the same way, and so they will attempt this
matter themselves. Then another will attempt it, and another; and so the
influence extends from one to another; and the devil knows just how to play his
game.—Manuscript 1, 1890. {CS 241.1}
Chapter 47—Unwise Investments
A few weeks ago, while
I was attending the camp meeting at San Jose [1905], some
of our brethren presented before me what they considered wonderful
opportunities to invest means in mining and railroad stock,
that would bring large returns. They seemed confident of success, and
spoke of the good they would do with the profits they expected to receive.
{CS 242.1}
Others were present,
and seemed interested to see how I would receive their proposition. I
told them that such investments were very uncertain. They
could not be sure that these enterprises would succeed. I spoke to them of the
everlasting reward that is assured to those who lay up their treasures in
heaven; but in these uncertain ventures, I begged them, for Christ’s sake, to
stop right where they were. {CS 242.2}
In the night season I
was instructed to tell God’s people that it is not according to His will that
those who believe in His near coming should invest their means in mining stock.
This would be burying our Lord’s talent in the earth. I will read a copy of a
letter I wrote to one of the brethren I have mentioned: {CS 242.3}
“San Jose, California,
July 2, 1905.
“Dear Brother,
“You have presented
before me a proposition to invest in mining stock. You feel confident that such
an investment would prove successful, and you think that in this way you will
be able greatly to help the cause of God. {CS 242.4}
“The Lord has given me
instruction at the meetings I would attend I would find men encouraging our
people to invest their money to work mines. I am bidden to say
that this is a device of the enemy to consume or to tie up means that is
greatly needed to carry on the work of God.
It is a snare of the last days, to involve God’s people in loss of their Lord’s
entrusted capital, that should be used wisely in the
work of winning souls. Because so much money is invested in these very
uncertain enterprises, the work of God is sadly crippled for lack of the talent
that will win souls to Christ.... {CS 243.1}
“Last night in vision, I was raising
my voice in warning against worldly
speculations. I said, ‘I invite you to take shares in the
greatest mine that has ever been worked.’ {CS 243.2}
“‘The kingdom of
heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found,
he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all
that he hath, and buyeth that field.’... {CS 243.3}
“If we will invest
in God’s mining stock, the return is sure. He says,
‘Hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is
good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.’... {CS 243.4}
“‘Again, the kingdom
of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had
found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.’
{CS 243.5}
“My brother, will you
make an investment to secure the heavenly pearl of great price? ... This
is mining stock, in which you may invest without running a risk of
disappointment. But, my dear friend, we have not a dollar of
the Lord’s money to invest in mining enterprises in this world.” {CS 243.6}
I am exceedingly sorry
that any of our people have made the mistake of burying their God-given capital
in mining stock, thinking thereby to increase their revenue. The prospect may
seem flattering, but many will be sadly disappointed. {CS
244.1}
I recall the case of a
brother who was once interested in the work and cause of God. Some years ago,
when I was in Australia, this brother wrote to me, saying that he had purchased a mine from which he expected to
receive great profits. He said that he would give me a portion of
what he would receive. Occasionally he would write to me, saying: “Now the
prospects are good. Soon we shall receive returns.” But the returns did not
materialize; and after sinking many thousands of dollars, his
ventures proved to be an entire loss. {CS 244.2}
This is one of many
similar cases that have come to my attention. Many have
expressed to me their sorrow that they had ever encouraged anyone to invest
their means in mining stock. If there is one here who has received money
from a brother or sister for any such investment, it is his duty to return it,
if the one who gave it so desires. {CS 244.3}
I warn you to be
careful what you do with your Lord’s goods. By placing it in God’s treasury you
may ensure for yourselves a revenue from the inexhaustible
treasures of His kingdom. {CS 244.4}
The people of God have
been too easily satisfied with mere surface truths. We should search diligently
for the deep, eternal, far-reaching truths of God’s word. Having found them, we
shall joyfully sell all, that we may buy the field.—Special Testimonies, Series
B, No. 17a, 8-13. {CS 244.5}
For Further Study
Some Must Learn by Experince to Let Speculative Enterprises Alone, Testimonies
for the Church 1:304, 305
A Trap for the Poor,
Testimonies for the Church 1:480, 481
Many Outgeneraled by Satan, With No Seeming Possibility of
Failure, Testimonies for the Church 2:664, 665
Especially Should
Ministers Keep Themselves Free, Testimonies for the Church 2:622, 626; The Acts of the Apostles, 366; Gospel Workers, 340-342
Speculation Is a
Dangerous Experiment, Testimonies for the Church 4:616, 617
Speculation and
Business Enterprises With Unbelivers
a Hindrance, Testimonies for the Church 9:19
Land and Mining
Speculation, Gospel Workers, 341
Aftermath of Regret,
Remorse, and Self-Reproach, Testimonies for the Church 1:455
Purses of God’s People
Drained, Means Transferred to Enemy’s Ranks, Testimonies for the Church 1:551