Should we sell our homes to prepare for the time of trouble?
If God says so. See the inspired answer.
Luke 12:31 "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
"the Lord showed me in vision, that houses and lands would be of no use in the time of trouble, and in that time they could not be disposed of. I saw it was the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance—dispose of their houses and lands before the time of trouble comes, and make a covenant with God by sacrifice. I saw they would sell if they laid their property on the altar and earnestly inquired for duty. Then God will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble, and have no clogs to weigh them down. {Broadside2 January 31, 1849, par. 9} I saw if they held on to their property, and did not inquire duty of the Lord, he would not make duty known, and they would be permitted to keep their property, and then in the time of trouble their property would come up before them like a mountain to crush them. Then they tried to get rid of it, but could not. I heard them mourn like this,—the cause was languishing—God’s people were suffering for truth, and we made no effort to supply the lack, and now our property is useless. Oh! that we had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven. I saw a sacrifice did not increase, but decrease, and was consumed. I also saw that God had not required all of his people to dispose of their property at the same time, but in a time of need he would teach them, if they desired to be taught, when to sell and how much to sell. I saw that some had been required to dispose of their property in past time to sustain the advent cause, while he permitted others to keep theirs until a time of need. Then as the cause needs it, their duty is to sell." {Broadside2 January 31, 1849, par. 10}
"Let the churches awaken, and take a solemn view of the opportunities now presented before them, and exert a decided influence for God. They are to use their facilities for the glory of God. “Sell that yewe have, and give alms,” God says. “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Has not the time come for those who have houses and lands to sell and give alms? Will they not do this? That land which is benefiting no one, dispose of it, and help to create an institution which will stand as a memorial for God. Sanctified ambition is called for. Let the means now bound up in houses and lands do the work for which God has given it. Let every person who has named the name of Christ avoid the first thread of selfishness in the use of their talents; for God has given these talents for the working of His vineyard." {AUCR December 1, 1900, par. 12}
"Who will come to the front to assist in this great work? Who will dispose of houses and lands now? Who will bring forward their hidden treasures? Who will draw from their bank accounts? Who will provide means for the workers who are willing to enter the great cities of our world?" {GH December 1, 1901, par. 18}
It is high time that we awake out of sleep. In the Lord’s vineyard there should be one hundred workers where now there is but one. If we move forward in faith, the Lord will care for us. He declares: “Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s goods pleasure to give you the kingdom.” [Luke 12:29-32.] {Lt72-1902.5} The time has come for those who have a large amount of means invested in houses and lands to begin to dispose of their possessions. “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [Luke 12:33, 34.] {Lt72-1902.6} My brethren and sisters in the faith of Christ’s soon coming, I ask you how it will be with you when you stand before the great white throne, to answer for the talents He has entrusted to you? If you hoard your money, if you invest it in houses and costly furniture, how can you meet your Lord in peace? Your heart will be where your treasure is. {Lt72-1902.7}
"I was pointed back, and saw when there were but few that listened to, and embraced the truth, they had not much of this world’s goods. The wants of the cause were divided among a very few. Then there was a necessity for houses and lands to be sold and obtain cheaper to serve them as a shelter or home, while their means were freely and generously lent to the Lord to publish the truth, and to otherwise aid in advancing the cause of God. As I beheld these self-sacrificing ones, I saw they had endured privation for the benefit of the cause. I saw an angel standing by them pointing them upward, and saying these words, “Ye have bags in heaven! Ye have bags in heaven that wax not old! Endure unto the end, and great will be thy reward!” {2SG 248.2} I saw that God had been moving on hearts. The truth that a few sacrificed so much for, in order to get it before others, has triumphed, and multitudes have laid hold of it. God has in his providence moved upon those that have means and has brought them into the truth, that as the work of God increases, the wants of the cause may be met. Much means are brought into the ranks of Sabbath-keepers. {2SG 248.3} I saw that at present God did not call for the houses his people need to live in, unless expensive houses are exchanged for cheaper ones. But if those who have of their abundance do not hear his voice, and cut loose from the world, and dispose of a portion of their property and lands, and sacrifice for God, he will pass them by, and call for those who are willing to do anything for Jesus, even to sell their homes to meet the wants of the cause. God will have a free-will offering. Those who give must esteem it a privilege to do so. {2SG 249.1} I have seen that some give of their abundance, but they feel no lack. They do not particularly deny themselves of anything for the cause of Christ. They still have all that heart can wish. They give liberally and heartily. God regards it, and the action and motive is known, and strictly marked by him. They will not lose their reward. You that cannot bestow so liberally, must not excuse yourselves, because you cannot do as much as some others. Do what you can. Deny yourself of some article that you can do without, and sacrifice for the cause of God. Like the widow, cast in your two mites. You will actually give more than all those who have given of their abundance. And you will know how sweet it is to give to the needy, to deny self, and sacrifice for the truth, and lay up treasure in heaven." {2SG 249.2} [Written in 1857.]
An important principle is found in Spiritual Gifts vol. 2: 249.1:
"I saw that at present God did not call for the houses his people need to live in, unless expensive houses are exchanged for cheaper ones. But if those who have of their abundance do not hear his voice, and cut loose from the world, and dispose of a portion of their property and lands, and sacrifice for God, he will pass them by, and call for those who are willing to do anything for Jesus, even to sell their homes to meet the wants of the cause. God will have a free-will offering. Those who give must esteem it a privilege to do so." {2SG 249.1}
We find that she is not opposed to owning necessary lodging, but that expensive homes should be disposed of for cheaper homes.