From poverty to power; or, the realization of prosperity and peace.
Part 2: The path to prosperity
The way out of undesirable conditions 23

You say you desire wealth, not for your own sake,
but in order to do good with it,
and to bless others.
If this is your real motive in desiring wealth,
then wealth will come to you;
for you are strong and unselfish indeed if, in the midst of riches,
you are willing to look upon yourself as steward and not as owner.

But examine well your motive,
for in the majority of instances
where money is desired for the admitted object of blessing others,
the real underlying motive is a love of popularity,
and a desire to pose as a philanthropist or reformer.

If you are not doing good with what little you have,
depend upon it the more money you got the more selfish you would become,
and all the good you appeared to do with your money,
if you attempted to do any,
would be so much insinuating self-laudation.

If your real desire is to do good,
there is no need to wait for money before you do it;
you can do it now,
this very moment,
and just where you are.
If you are really so unselfish as you believe yourself to be,
you will show it
by sacrificing yourself for others now.

instance = a particular situation
popularity = the fact that someone is liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people
to pose = to stay in a particular position
philanthropist = a person who helps the poor, especially by giving them money
reformer = someone who tries to improve a system or law by changing it
 insinuating = suggesting ideas without saying them directly
laudation = the act of praising someone