Now is the time to use means for God. Now is the time to be rich in good works, laying up in store for ourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life. One soul saved in the kingdom of God is of more value than all earthly riches. PH159 212.2

The cross of Calvary alone can reveal the worth of the soul. No man can correctly estimate its value unless he is able to comprehend the height and depth of the glory from which Christ descended that man might be saved and join in the glad song of triumph and everlasting praise to God and the Lamb. The price of man’s ransom could be paid only by One equal with God, the spotless Son of the infinite Father. Unless this sacrifice had been made, souls would have perished. RH October 20, 1896, par. 14

We are living in a special period of this earth’s history. A great work must be done in a very short time, and every Christian is to act a part in sustaining this work. God is calling for men who will consecrate themselves to the work of soulsaving. When we begin to comprehend what a sacrifice Christ made in order to save a perishing world, there will be seen a mighty wrestling to save souls. Oh, that all our churches might see and realize the infinite sacrifice of Christ! 3TT 344.4

A consistent faith is rare among rich men. Genuine faith, sustained by works, is seldom found. But all who possess this faith will be men who will not lack influence. They will copy after Christ; they will possess that disinterested benevolence, that interest in the work of saving souls, that He had. The followers of Christ should value souls as He valued them. Their sympathies should be with the work of their dear Redeemer, and they should labor to save the purchase of His blood, at any sacrifice. What are money, houses, and lands in comparison with even one soul? 2T 663.2

In the line of furniture, do not purchase one article merely to make a show. Get things that will be useful, and that will bear handling. Educate the people to practice self-denial. Let it be considered that every dollar may represent a soul, for someone might be brought to a knowledge of the truth through the use of that dollar in the missionary work. We may have very nice taste, and enjoy that which is beautiful and artistic; but had not Christ the very finest, purest, holiest taste? His home was heaven, yet He denied Himself; humiliation marked all His life, from the manger to Calvary. In the beginning of the work, we must not reproduce the very things that the Lord has condemned in America, the needless, extravagant expenditure of money to gratify pride and love of display. Let everything of this order be scrupulously shunned. TM 179.1

Some say that evangelism is expensive. Perhaps it is, when it is run haphazardly without attention to the details God has clearly laid out before us. Consider two scenarios:

1) People are baptized who are not yet disciples of Jesus. They are not faithful in returning their tithes and offerings and become a burden to the church.

2) People are baptized as faithful disciples of Jesus, whose lives are already changed. They are faithful in returning their tithes and offerings and help to lift the burdens of the church.

The December 1967 Ministry Magazine contains an article titled “Evangelism--Is It Too Expensive?” Many people think that evangelism costs too much money. Commonly, they will divide up the cost of the campaign by the number of baptisms and calculate a cost per baptism. In this article, the author Herman Bauman contests the common claim that evangelism is expensive. He says, “Evangelism does not really cost; it pays.”

He cites examples of increased tithes and offerings after evangelistic campaigns. If the new members were baptized as true disciples, they will contribute their tithes and offerings and more than repay the cost to bring them into the church.

While the goal of evangelism is to save souls and not to make money, evangelism is definitely worth the investment, especially when considering the value of even one saved soul.

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. 6T 449.4

Often the talent of means is buried. Money lying unused in banks is regarded by the Lord as a buried talent. God wants His followers to use the talent of means in His service. We should do our part to carry forward the different lines of work in all parts of the earth. A great work is to be done in the cities. Camp-meetings are to be held in many places. Those who have the talent of means may multiply it by using it [in] the work of giving to the world the message of truth for this time. When through the instrumentality of our one talent some one is brought into the truth, that one talent is doubled. And when this person brings others into the truth, there is a still further increase of talents. 17LtMs, Ms 77, 1902, par. 51

Those who preach the gospel without putting the whole being—heart, mind, soul, and strength—into their work, are consumers and not producers. God calls for men who realize that they must put forth earnest action, men who bring thought, zeal, prudence, capability, and the attributes of Christ’s character, into their work. The saving of souls is a vast work, which calls for the employment of every talent, every gift of grace. Those engaged in this work should constantly increase in efficiency. They should have an earnest desire to strengthen their powers, realizing that they will be weak without a constantly increasing supply of grace. They should seek to attain larger and still larger results in their work.
When this is the experience of our workers, fruit will be seen. Many souls will be brought into the truth. 17MR 306.1