Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White taught that all our possessions are actually lent them on trustby God (2MR 41.4). This fundamental principle shapes how we should view lending and using our resources. She emphasized that believers should "remember that it is not their own, and will use the Lord's goods to advance His work" (11MR 368.3). In describing the early church's example under the Holy Spirit's influence, Ellen White wrote: "They called nothing which they possessed their own. All their earthly goods they used to support the poor believers" (2MR 41.4). This same Spirit-led generosity should characterize believers today, leading them to "work to relieve the needy, to help the helpless" (2MR 41.4). She also provided practical counsel about not tying up resources in ways that prevent their use for God's work. Ellen White instructed believers "not to invest our money in buildings, or in any way tie it up so that it can not be used for the advancement of the work of the Lord in our world" (GCB July 1, 1900, par. 1). This suggests that our lending and use of resources should maintain flexibility to meet urgent spiritual needs. Regarding stewardship of entrusted resources, she taught that all that you and I possess of talents is loaned us on trust that we may trade with it. By improving these talents we acquire more talents to invest for the Lord" (GH December 1, 1901, par. 1). This indicates that our resources should be actively used for God's purposes rather than hoarded. The underlying principle is clear: we are stewards, not owners. Our lending and use of resources should reflect the understanding that everything belongs to God and should be managed for His glory and the advancement of His work, particularly in helping those in need. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about the proper use of personal property and possessions? • How did she counsel believers to balance personal needs with supporting God's work? • What principles did she give for helping the poor and needy? --- 📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=What+did+EGW+counsel+us+on+lending+others.)

Ellen White addressed the concept of lending that could actually harm the recipient rather than help them. She wrote about a specific situation where she was "on the point of saying that I would help you with money to tide over your difficulties, but the Spirit of the Lord teaches me that as you now are this would be using the Lord's money to hurt yourself and other souls" (13MR 2.2). She explained that in this case, the person lacked the character development needed to handle the money wisely, and "to trust you with money would be to put it into a bag with holes, and you would be no more relieved than before you received it" (13MR 2.2). This principle reveals that sometimes lending money can enable destructive patterns rather than provide genuine help. The issue wasn't the act of lending itself, but whether the recipient had developed the character and wisdom to use the resources properly. Ellen White recognized that providing financial assistance to someone unprepared to manage it responsibly would ultimately harm both the individual and others who might be affected by their poor stewardship. She also warned about the dangers of borrowing that could hurt the borrower. She taught that "the practice of borrowing money to relieve some pressing necessity, and making no calculation for canceling the indebtedness, however common, is demoralizing" (CS 255). This practice, she explained, leads people into dishonesty and self-deception, causing them to "deny Christ in action, while they profess to keep and teach the commandments of God" (CS 255). The broader principle here is that both lending and borrowing require wisdom and character. True help sometimes means withholding financial assistance until the person develops the spiritual maturity and practical skills needed to use resources wisely. Otherwise, what appears to be kindness can actually enable harmful patterns and prevent the character growth that God desires. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What counsel did Ellen White give about developing faithful stewardship before being entrusted with greater resources? • How did she address the relationship between character development and financial responsibility? • What did she teach about the proper use of borrowed capital in God's work?