MH page 207

How much means is expended for things that are mere idols, things that engross thought and time and strength which should be put to a higher use! How much money is wasted on expensive houses and furniture, on selfish pleasures, luxurious and unwholesome food, hurtful indulgences! How much is squandered on gifts that benefit no one! For things that are needless, often harmful, professed Christians are today spending more, many times more, than they spend in seeking to rescue souls from the tempter.

Resources are frequently misdirected toward needless luxuries and unwholesome indulgences rather than helping others. It addresses financial choices, food consumption, and resource allocation from an ethical standpoint.

Many who profess to be Christians spend so much on dress that they have nothing to spare for the needs of others. Costly ornaments and expensive clothing they think they must have, regardless of the needs of those who can with difficulty provide themselves with even the plainest clothing.

Spending excessive funds on costly ornaments and clothing reduces the ability to provide for the pressing needs of others. This highlights the ethical implications of clothing expenditures and resource allocation.

My sisters, if you would bring your manner of dressing into conformity with the rules given in the Bible, you would have an abundance with which to help your poorer sisters. You would have not only means, but time. Often this is most needed. There are many whom you might help with your suggestions, your tact and skill. Show them how to dress simply and yet tastefully. Many a woman remains away from the house of God because her shabby, ill-fitting garments are in such striking contrast to the dress of others. Many a sensitive spirit cherishes a sense of bitter humiliation and injustice because of this contrast. And because of it many are led to doubt the reality of religion and to harden their hearts against the gospel.

Simple and tasteful dress frees up personal means and time to assist impoverished peers, while alleviating social alienation. It blends ethical counsel regarding helping others with an empirical observation about human behavior and social alienation.

Christ bids us, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” While thousands are every day perishing from famine, bloodshed, fire, and plague, it becomes every lover of his kind to see that nothing is wasted, that nothing is needlessly expended, whereby he might benefit a human being.

Resources should not be wasted or needlessly expended, especially when many people suffer from famine, violence, and disaster. It presents an ethical imperative for conservation and humanitarian aid during global suffering.