More valuable than gold and silver. By Ellen White

The LORD provided that we should get our sustenance through work. He tells us to harvest only after the groundbreaking, tillage and cultivation, not before. Then God sends rain, sunshine, clouds and makes the plants flourish. God works and man works with him. There is a time for sowing and for reaping. – Letter 35 (1890)

The Lord gives the blessings of rain showers and sunshine. He gives people all their abilities; They may use their hearts, minds, and strength to do His will and obey His commandments... If they devote themselves fully to God and work with the talents of their physical strength, their labors will not be in vain. The God who made the world for man's benefit will produce food from the earth for the active worker. The seed he plants in the thoroughly prepared soil will yield his harvest. God can prepare a table for His people in the wilderness...
The earth has treasures hidden, and the Lord would have thousands and tens of thousands toil the land, rather than crowding the cities looking for an opportunity to make money...
The ground should be prepared in such a way that it bestows its strength. But he cannot do this without God's blessing. In the beginning, God saw everything He made and called it very good. The curse had not yet come upon the earth as a result of sin. Shall we multiply this curse by sinning more? Ignorance accomplishes its fatal work. Indolent workers aggravate the evil with lazy habits. Many no longer want to earn their bread by the sweat of their brow. They refuse to till the soil. But the earth has blessings hidden in her depths for all who have courage, will and perseverance to bring in her treasures...
False witness was given: Land was declared unusable which, if properly tilled, would have yielded a rich harvest. Narrow-minded plans, little effort, feeble searching for the right methods, all of this cries out for reform. If only people realized that patience works wonders. Manuscript 8a (1894)

God does not work miracles where He has provided the means by which the work can be done. Use your time and gifts in His service, and He will not fail you in your service. Unless the farmer plows and sows, God will work no miracle to make up for the consequences of his neglect. At harvest time its fields are empty - there are no sheaves to be harvested, no corn to be hauled in. God gave the seed and the soil, the sun and the rain. If the farmer had used the available funds, he would have received according to his sowing and his work. – Christian Education 116 (1894)

How much can the student of nature learn from God while studying the Word at the same time! As you go out and work the ground with God's Word in your heart, you will experience God's Holy Spirit softening and taming your heart. Your mind will understand more and more what God imparts in nature. – Youth Instructor (June 30, 1898)

Because Adam and Eve distrusted God, they lost Eden. The whole world was cursed because of sin. But if God's people heeded God's instructions, the land would become fruitful and beautiful again. God Himself gave the people guidelines for tilling the soil. With his cooperation, the soil would recover. Thus, under God's direction, the whole country would become a parable of spiritual truth. As the earth produces its treasures by obeying the laws of nature, so by obeying his moral law the hearts of men would reflect the qualities of his being. Even the pagans would see the superiority of those who serve and worship the living God. – Christ's Object Lessons 289 (1900)

If the soil is tilled, it will, by God's blessing, supply our needs. Apparent failure must not discourage us, delays must not make us despondent. Cheerful, hopeful, and grateful, we may till the soil, believing that the earth in her bosom holds rich treasures for the faithful worker, treasures worth more than gold or silver. The stinginess they are accused of is misinformation. With proper, judicious tillage, the earth will bring forth its treasures for the benefit of man. The mountains and hills change, the earth grows old like a dress; but the blessings of God preparing a table for his people in the wilderness will never fail. – Testimonials 6, 178 (1901)

He who taught horticulture to Adam and Eve in Eden also wants to teach people today. There is wisdom for the one who wields the plow and sows the seed. God will open doors for those who trust and follow Him. Go forward boldly, entrusting all your needs to Him. He will feed them according to the riches of his goodness. – Ministry of Healing 200 (1905)

The LORD gives sunshine and rain, causes the fruit to grow and the earth to bring forth what can be prepared for human consumption. He wants his family to actively till the soil so that it produces food. They are to sow the seed and take care of the growing plants. This is the provision God made for man's sustenance. He has given man intelligence and sensitivity so that he can prepare a variety of foods from the crops. Grain, vegetables and fruit are to be planted and cultivated. The floor is to be processed and ordered. Then the earth will reveal its treasures. – Letter 354 (1906)

No matter what our job, we can all work for God. Let the farmers among us not consider it a waste of time to visit our neighbors and let them see the light of truth for this time. Even if it seems difficult to stop working on the land, we will not lose out financially because we spend time helping others. There is a God in heaven who blesses our work. – 15 Manuscript (1909)

You don't work alone. When discouragement creeps up on you, remember: God's angels are around you. They will give what they need to the ground and the earth to bring their treasures. – 13 Manuscript (1909