The story of these three champions—their manly courage, their marvelous deliverance—should fire the heart of every believer! Here is firmness that stands against tyranny in the very teeth of death! Young Christians, learn from their example. In matters of faith, in matters of business, in every corner of life: never sacrifice your conscience.

Lose all rather than lose your integrity! When everything else is gone, still hold fast to a clear conscience—it is the rarest jewel that can adorn the bosom of a mortal. Be not guided by the will-o'-the-wisp of policy, but by the pole-star of divine authority. Follow the right at all hazards. When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight.

Do God the honor to trust him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle. See whether he will be your debtor! See if he does not even in this life prove his word that "Godliness with contentment is great gain," and that they who "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness shall have all these things added unto them."

Should it happen that, in the providence of God, you are a loser by conscience, you shall find that if the Lord pays you not back in the silver of earthly prosperity, he will discharge his promise in the gold of spiritual joy. Remember that a man's life consists not in the abundance of what he possesses.

To wear a guileless spirit, to have a heart void of offense, to have the favor and smile of God—this is greater riches than the mines of Ophir could yield, or the traffic of Tyre could win! "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith." An ounce of heart's-ease is worth a ton of gold.