Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

youth who has physical strength to enter on a course of study to become a
minister or a physician before he has had an experience in useful, taxing
labor.
Habits of self-indulgence or a want of tact and skill on the part of the
wife and mother may be a constant drain upon the treasury; and yet that
mother may think she is doing her best because she has never been taught to
restrict her wants or the wants of her children and has never acquired skill
and tact in household matters. Hence one family may require for its support
twice the amount that would suffice for another family of the same size.
The Lord has been pleased to present before me the evils which result
from spendthrift habits, that I might admonish parents to teach their children
strict economy. Teach them that money spent for that which they do not need
is perverted from its proper use.
Counsel to Husbands and Wives on Matters of Money
All should learn how to keep accounts. Some neglect this work as nonessential,
but this is wrong. All expenses should be accurately stated.
The means you have earned has not been wisely and economically
expended so as to leave a margin should you be sick and your family
deprived of the means you bring to sustain them. Your family should have
something to rely upon if you should be brought into straitened places.
You must help each other. Do not look upon it as a virtue to hold fast the
purse strings, refusing to give your wife money.
You should allow your wife a certain sum weekly and should let her do
what she please with this money. You have not given her opportunity to
exercise her tact or her taste because you have not a proper realization of the
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