Gifts of Heaven · Volume 2 · Chapter 343

Holy doctrine of life

15th August 1844

[1] Do to people everything you want them to do to you.

[2] Behold, therein lies all the justification of a good deed! And it belongs to the right virtue to comfort the afflicted, to raise up the broken spirits, to help the needy, to lift up the fallen, to redeem the prisoners in spirit, to strengthen the weak, to show the erring the right way, to avoid all annoyances and build the same into others so that if someone has a treasure, he does not keep it for himself, but divides it down to the last drop.

[3] For verily no-one will inherit My kingdom until he has given up all that he has! And verily, who of you does not first become as worldly and spiritually poor as a dungeon, will not come alive in My kingdom!

[4] For if someone does not first become a stranger in the world, he will never be at home in My kingdom.

[5] But if someone thinks and speaks: "Lord, if I am at rest in the world through a ministry or a fortune and am provided for my bodily needs, then I will, oh Lord, dedicate all my time to You! Then I say: Friend! According to My eternal order, I can by no means use your time! For I Myself have not taught that one should first seek the worldly provision, and when one has found it, then only My kingdom – but just the other way round! For it is said: Above all seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all else will be given to you!

[6] But for this reason a man must first give up everything of himself, if he will reap My kingdom. Give everything away and distribute it among the poor and follow Me, so you will reap My kingdom.

[7] With this it is now sufficiently shown what it takes to know when one acts in and out of "My kingdom" and when I really enjoy a finished work!

[8] If you do good and ask whether it please Me, then you have My kingdom flowing into you outwardly, but not yet inwardly for a long time.

[9] But if you also had My kingdom inwardly as I gave it to you from outside, in order to block the prospect of the world for you – then you would not ask after an action whether it is an inspiration from Me, thus righteous and pleasing to Me, but if you had acted out of all angelic love and wisdom, you would only say: “Oh Lord! I am a lazy and useless servant!"

[10] Behold, this is what the right "kingdom of God" looks like! And so you must act out of My love – then everything will be good, right and entirely pleasing to Me.

[11] Besides, your act was well and right and a good virtue. But put no value on it within yourself, if you want Me to look at it! Do not boast about it anywhere either, if you want My honor! For what your right hand does, not even tell the left! Then I will accept your work and will honor you, because you gave Me honor.

[12] But above all seek My kingdom alive in you in the aforementioned way – then you will always know from where and from what you have acted and for whom!

[13] May this doctrine be sacred to you forever! Amen. This say I, your good, holy Father.