My Dear Brethren and Sisters everywhere,

The giving that is the fruit of self-denial is a wonderful help to the giver. It imparts an education that enables us more fully to comprehend the work of Him who went about doing good, relieving the suffering and supplying the needs of the destitute. The Saviour lived not to please Himself. In His life there was no trace of selfishness. Though in a world that He Himself had created, He claimed no part of it as His home. “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests,” He said, “but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.”

I ask the children to show an unselfish interest in the work in the "Earth". Will they not give their mites to help in this work? There are many ways in which they might earn money for this purpose. One of our brethren bought wall pockets and sold them to our sisters at the cost price. Those who bought them sold them to their friends and neighbors at an advance and gave the proceeds to the "Gospel" work. My son has often written me how much the means thus raised helped in the first establishment of the work. Cannot the children make simple, useful household articles and sell them, telling those to whom these things are offered of the work to which the money thus raised is to be devoted?

Earnest, continuous effort in this direction will accomplish much. Every gift, however small, will help. Think of how much has been accomplished by the widow’s mite. How many, by Christ’s recognition of this gift, have been inspired with a determination to do something for the Lord, even though they were so poor that they could give but a small sum.

Let those who are spending small or large sums for self-gratification ask themselves, Can I not, for Christ’s sake, deny self? Are you using tea, coffee, or other harmful things? Will you not give up their use, and send the money thus saved to those who are trying to help the people? The good thus accomplished will be twofold: you yourself, by giving up these harmful indulgences, will be helped mentally and physically; and by your gifts the needy people of the "Earth" will be helped.

Ellen G. White

Manuscript, p.138-1903