Christ
Approves
and Rewards the Workers as Though the Merit Were all Their Own
Click to go to our Home Page
Dear Reader,
Jam
2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God,
and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend
of God.
Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the
world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the
righteousness of faith.
Gal 3:6
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Rom 4:11 And
he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the
faith which [he had yet] being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of
all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them [us] also:
Rom 4:22 And
therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Jam 2:23 And
the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he
was called the Friend of God.
I have often given the Biblical example
showing that Abraham's obedience was imputed unto him for righteousness to
demonstrate the truth that works from a motive of faith in and love for
Christ are imputed unto us for righteousness. They are not of OUR OWN
empowerment but effected by the Holy Spirit
indwelling those who choose Christ. Thus, no man can boast of his works which
are as filthy rags without gold tried in the fire—faith that works by the
self-sacrificing love of Christ indwelling the soul. Ellen White applies that
principle below:
But when the Master receives the talents,
He approves and rewards the workers as though the merit were all their own. His
countenance is full of joy and satisfaction. He is filled with delight that
He can bestow blessings upon them. For every service
and every sacrifice He requites them, not because it is a debt He owes, but
because His heart is overflowing with love and tenderness. {COL 361.1}
Laval Picard and Karl Wagner have viewed my
belief as heresy, but if that is so, God and Ellen White are heretics! I am
in good company.
Chap. 25 - Talents
Christ on the Mount of Olives had spoken to His disciples of His second
advent to the world. He had specified certain signs that were to show when
His coming was near, and had bidden His disciples watch and be ready. Again He
repeated the warning, "Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor
the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Then He showed what it means to
watch for His coming. The time is to be spent, not in idle waiting, but in
diligent working. This lesson He taught in the parable of the talents. {COL 325.1} "The
kingdom of heaven," He said, "is as a man traveling into a far
country, who called his own servants, and delivered
unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and
to another one; to every man according to his several
ability; and straightway took his journey." {COL 325.2} The man
traveling into a far country represents Christ, All men have been bought with
this infinite price. By pouring the whole treasury of heaven into this world,
by giving us in Christ all heaven, God has purchased the will, the
affections, the mind, the soul, of every human being. Whether believers or
unbelievers, all men are the Lord's property. All are called to do service
for Him, and for the manner in which they have met this claim, all will be
required to render an account at the great judgment day. {COL 326.1} But the claims
of God are not recognized by all. It is those who profess to have accepted
Christ's service who in the parable are represented
as His own servants. {COL 326.2} Christ's
followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true
object of life is ministry. Christ Himself was a worker, and to all His
followers He gives the law of service--service to God and to their fellow
men. Here Christ has presented to the world a higher conception of life than
they had ever known. By living to minister for others, man is brought into
connection with Christ. The law of service becomes the connecting link which
binds us to God and to our fellow men. {COL 326.3} To His servants
Christ commits "His goods"--something to be put to use for Him. He
gives "to every man his work." Each has his place in the eternal
plan of heaven. Each is to work in co-operation with Christ for the salvation
Gifts of the Holy Spirit Before He left
His disciples, Christ "breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye
the Holy Ghost." John 20:22. Again He said, "Behold, I send the
promise of My Father upon you." Luke 24:49. But not until after the
ascension was the gift received in its fullness. Not until through faith and
prayer the disciples had surrendered themselves fully for His working was the
outpouring of the Spirit received. Then in a special sense the goods of
heaven were committed to the followers of Christ. "When He ascended up
on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." Eph. 4:8.
"Unto every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the
gift of Christ," the Spirit "dividing to every man severally as He
will." Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 12:11. The gifts are already ours in Christ, but
their actual possession depends upon our reception of the Spirit of God. The promise of the Spirit is not
appreciated as it should be. Its fulfillment is not realized as it might be.
It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so powerless.
Learning, talents, eloquence, every natural or acquired endowment, may be
possessed; but without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be
touched, no sinner be won to Christ. On the other hand, if they are connected
with Christ, if the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, the poorest and most
ignorant of His disciples will have a power that will tell upon hearts. God
makes them the channel for the outworking of the highest influence in the
universe. {COL 328.1}
Other Talents To every man
God has given "according to his several ability."
The talents are not apportioned capriciously. He who has ability to use five
talents receives five. He who can improve but two, receives two. He who can wisely use only one, receives one. None need
lament that they have not received larger gifts; for He who has apportioned
to every man is equally honored by the improvement of each trust, whether it
be great or small. The one to whom five talents have been committed is to
render the improvement of five; he who has but one, the improvement of one.
God expects returns "according to that a man hath, and not according to
that he hath not." 2 Cor. 8:12. In the parable he that had
"received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them
other five talents; and likewise he that had received two, he also gained
other two." {COL 329.1} The talents,
however few, are to be put to use. The question that most concerns us is not,
How much have I received? but, What am I doing with
that which I have? The development of all our powers is the first duty we owe
to God and to our fellow men. No one who is not growing daily in capability
and usefulness is fulfilling the purpose The Lord has a great work to be
done, and He will bequeath the most in the future life to those who do the
most faithful, willing service in the present life. The Lord chooses His own
agents, and each day under different circumstances He gives them a trial in
His plan of operation. In each true-hearted endeavor
to work out His plan, He chooses His agents not because they are perfect but
because, through a connection with Him, they may gain perfection. {COL 330.1} God will accept
only those who are determined to aim high. He places every human agent under
obligation to do his best. Moral perfection is required of all. Never should
we lower the standard of righteousness in order to accommodate inherited or
cultivated tendencies to wrong-doing. We need to understand that imperfection
of character is sin. All righteous attributes of character dwell in God as a
perfect, harmonious whole, and every one who
receives Christ as a personal Saviour is privileged to possess these
attributes. {COL 330.2} And those who
would be workers together with God must strive for perfection of every organ
of the body and quality of the mind. True education is the preparation of the
physical, mental, and moral powers for the performance of every duty; it is
the training of body, mind, and soul for divine service. This is the
education that will endure unto eternal life. {COL 330.3} Of every
Christian the Lord requires growth in efficiency and capability in every
line. Christ has paid us our wages, even His own blood and suffering, to
secure But Christ has given us no
assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble,
all-round character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A
noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives the
talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by hard,
stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be waged against
hereditary tendencies. We shall have to criticize ourselves closely, and
allow not one unfavorable trait to remain
uncorrected. {COL 331.1} Let no one say,
I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to this decision, you
will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. The impossibility lies in
your own will. If you will not, then you can not
overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an unsanctified
heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God. {COL 331.2} Many whom God
has qualified to do excellent work accomplish very little, because they
attempt little. Thousands pass through life as if they had no definite object
for which to live, no standard to reach. Such will obtain a reward
proportionate to their works. {COL
331.3} Remember that
you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your
mark high, and step by step, even though it be by painful effort, by
self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole length of the ladder Be ambitious, for the Master's
glory, to cultivate every grace of character. In every phase of your
character building you are to please God. This you
may do; for Enoch pleased Him though living in a degenerate age. And there
are Enochs in this our day. {COL 332.1} Stand like
Daniel, that faithful statesman, a man whom no temptation could corrupt. Do
not disappoint Him who so loved you that He gave His own life to cancel your
sins. He says, "Without Me ye can do nothing." John 15:5. Remember
this. If you have made mistakes, you certainly gain a victory if you see
these mistakes and regard them as beacons of warning. Thus you turn defeat
into victory, disappointing the enemy and honoring
your Redeemer. {COL 332.2} A character formed
according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from
this world to the next. Those who are under the instruction of Christ in this
world will take every divine attainment with them to the heavenly mansions.
And in heaven we are continually to improve. How important, then, is the
development of character in this life. {COL 332.3} The heavenly
intelligences will work with the human agent who seeks with determined faith
that perfection of character which will reach out to perfection in action. To
everyone engaged in this work Christ says, I am at your right hand to help
you. As the will of man co-operates
with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His
command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings. {COL
333.1}
Mental Faculties If placed under
the control of His Spirit, the more thoroughly the intellect is cultivated,
the more effectively it can be used in the service of God. The uneducated man
who is consecrated to God and who longs to bless others can be, and is, used
by the Lord in His service. But those who, with the same spirit of
consecration, have had the benefit of a thorough education,
can do a much more extensive work for Christ. They stand on vantage ground. {COL 333.3} The Lord
desires us to obtain all the education possible, with the object in view of
imparting our knowledge to others. None can know where or how they may be
called to labor or to speak for God. Our heavenly Father alone sees what He
can make of men. There are before us possibilities which our feeble faith
does not discern. Our minds should be so trained that if necessary we can
present the truths of His word before the highest earthly authorities Let the youth who need an
education set to work with a determination to obtain it. Do not wait for an
opening; make one for yourselves. Take hold in any small way that presents
itself. Practice economy. Do not spend your means for the gratification of
appetite, or in pleasure seeking. Be determined to become as useful and
efficient as God calls you to be. Be thorough and faithful in whatever you
undertake. Procure every advantage within your reach for strengthening the
intellect. Let the study of books be combined with useful manual labor, and
by faithful endeavor, watchfulness, and prayer
secure the wisdom that is from above. This will give you an all-round
education. Thus you may rise in character, and gain an influence over other
minds, enabling you to lead them in the path of uprightness and holiness. {COL 334.1} Far more might
be accomplished in the work of self-education if we were awake to our own
opportunities and privileges. True education means more than the colleges can
give. While the study of the sciences is not to be neglected, there is a
higher training to be obtained through a vital connection with God. Let every
student take his Bible and place himself in communion with the great Teacher.
Let the mind be trained and disciplined to wrestle with hard problems in the
search for divine truth. {COL 334.2} Those who
hunger for knowledge that they may bless their fellow men will themselves
receive blessing from God. Through the study of His word their mental powers
will be aroused to earnest activity. There will be an expansion and
development of the faculties, and the mind will acquire power and efficiency.
Self-discipline must be
practiced by everyone who would be a worker for God. This will accomplish
more than eloquence or the most brilliant talents. An ordinary mind, well
disciplined, will accomplish more and higher work than will the most highly
educated mind and the greatest talents without self-control. {COL 335.1}
Speech The culture and
right use of the voice are greatly neglected, even by persons of intelligence
and Christian activity. There are many who read or speak in so low or so
rapid a manner that they cannot be readily understood. Some have a thick,
indistinct utterance; others speak in a high key, in sharp, shrill tones,
that are painful to the hearers. Texts, hymns, and the reports and other
papers presented before public assemblies are sometimes read in such a way
that they are not understood and often so that their force and impressiveness
are destroyed. {COL 335.3} This is an evil
that can and should be corrected. On this point the Bible gives instruction.
Of the Levites who read the Scriptures to the people in the days of Ezra, it
is said, "They read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave
the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." Neh. 8:8. {COL 335.4} By diligent
effort all may acquire the power to read intelligibly, and to speak in a
full, clear, round tone, in a Every Christian is called to
make known to others the unsearchable riches of Christ; therefore he should
seek for perfection in speech. He should present the word of God in a way
that will commend it to the hearers. God does not design that His human
channels shall be uncouth. It is not His will that man shall belittle or
degrade the heavenly current that flows through him to the world. {COL 336.1} We should look
to Jesus, the perfect pattern; we should pray for the aid of the Holy Spirit,
and in His strength we should seek to train every organ for perfect work. {COL 336.2} Especially is
this true of those who are called to public service. Every minister and every
teacher should bear in mind that he is giving to the people a message that
involves eternal interests. The truth spoken will judge them in the great day
of final reckoning. And with some souls the manner of the one delivering the
message will determine its reception or rejection. Then let the word be so
spoken that it will appeal to the understanding and impress the heart.
Slowly, distinctly, and solemnly should it be spoken, yet with all the
earnestness which its importance demands. {COL 336.3} The right
culture and use of the power of speech has to do with every line of Christian
work; it enters into the home life, and into all our intercourse with one
another. We should accustom ourselves to speak in pleasant tones, to use pure
and correct language, and words that are kind and courteous. Sweet, kind words
are as dew and gentle showers to the soul. The Scripture says of Christ that
grace was poured into His lips that He might "know how to speak a word
in season to him that is weary." Ps. 45:2; Isa. 50:4. And the Lord bids
us, "Let your speech be alway with grace"
(Col. 4:6) "that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (Eph.
4:29). In seeking to correct or reform
others we should be careful of our words. They will be a savor
of life unto life or of death unto death. In giving reproof or counsel, many
indulge in sharp, severe speech, words not adapted to heal the wounded soul.
By these ill-advised expressions the spirit is chafed, and often the erring
ones are stirred to rebellion. All who would advocate the principles of truth
need to receive the heavenly oil of love. Under all circumstances reproof
should be spoken in love. Then our words will reform but not exasperate.
Christ by His Holy Spirit will supply the force and the power. This is His
work. {COL 337.1} Not one word is
to be spoken unadvisedly. No evil speaking, no frivolous talk, no fretful
repining or impure suggestion, will escape the lips of him who is following
Christ. The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, says, "Let no
corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth." Eph. 4:29. A corrupt
communication does not mean only words that are vile. It means any expression
contrary to holy principles and pure and undefiled religion. It includes impure
hints and covert insinuations of evil. Unless instantly resisted, these lead
to great sin. {COL 337.2} Upon every
family, upon every individual Christian, is laid the
duty of barring the way against corrupt speech. When in the company of those
who indulge in foolish talk, it is our duty to change the subject of
conversation if possible. By the help of the grace of God we should quietly
drop words or introduce a subject that will turn the conversation into a
profitable channel. {COL 337.3} It is the work
of parents to train their children to proper habits of speech. The very best
school for this culture is the home life. From the earliest years the
children should be taught to speak respectfully and lovingly to their parents
and to one another. They should be taught that only words As followers of Christ we should
make our words such as to be a help and an encouragement to one another in
the Christian life. Far more than we do, we need to speak of the precious
chapters in our experience. We should speak of the mercy and loving-kindness
of God, of the matchless depths of the Saviour's love. Our words should be
words of praise and thanksgiving. If the mind and heart are full of the love
of God, this will be revealed in the conversation. It will not be a difficult
matter to impart that which enters into our spiritual life. Great thoughts,
noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, unselfish purposes, yearnings
for piety and holiness, will bear fruit in words that reveal the character of
the heart treasure. When Christ is thus revealed in our speech, it will have
power in winning souls to Him. {COL
338.1} We should speak
of Christ to those who know Him not. We should do as Christ did. Wherever He
was, in the synagogue, by the wayside, in the boat thrust out a little from
the land, at the Pharisee's feast or the table of the publican, He spoke to
men of the things pertaining to the higher life. The things of nature, the
events of daily life, were bound up by Him with the words of truth. The
hearts of His hearers were drawn to Him; for He had healed their sick, had
comforted their sorrowing ones, and had taken their children in His arms and
blessed them. When He opened His lips to speak, their attention was riveted
upon Him, and every word was to some soul a savor
of life unto life. So it should be with us.
Wherever we are, we should watch for opportunities of speaking to others of
the Saviour. If we follow Christ's example in doing good, hearts will open to
us as they did to Him. Not abruptly, but with tact born of divine love, we
can tell them of Him who is the "Chiefest
among ten thousand" and the One "altogether lovely." Cant.
5:10, 16. This is the very highest work in which we can employ the talent of speech.
It was given to us that we might present Christ as the sin-pardoning Saviour.
{COL 339.1}
Influence Every soul is
surrounded by an atmosphere of its own--an atmosphere, it may be, charged
with the life-giving power of faith, courage, and hope, and sweet with the
fragrance of love. Or it may be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent
and selfishness, or poisonous with the deadly taint of cherished sin. By the
atmosphere surrounding us, every person with whom we come in contact is
consciously or unconsciously affected. {COL 339.3} This is a
responsibility from which we cannot free ourselves. Our words,
our acts, our dress, our deportment, even the expression of the countenance,
has an influence. Throw a pebble into the lake,
and a wave is formed, and another and another; and as they increase, the
circle widens, until it reaches the very shore. So with our influence. Beyond
our knowledge or control it tells upon others in blessing or in cursing. {COL 340.1} Character is
power. The silent witness of a true, unselfish, godly life carries an almost
irresistible influence. By revealing in our own life the character of Christ
we co-operate with Him in the work of saving souls. It is only by revealing
in our life His character that we can co-operate with Him. And the wider the
sphere of our influence, the more good we may do. When those who profess to
serve God follow Christ's example, practicing the principles of the law in
their daily life; when every act bears witness that they love God supremely
and their neighbor as themselves, then will the church have power to move the
world. {COL 340.2} But never
should it be forgotten that influence is no less a power for evil. To lose
one's own soul is a terrible thing; but to cause the loss of other souls is
still more terrible. That our influence should be a savor
of death unto death is a fearful thought; yet this is possible. Many who
profess to gather with Christ are scattering from Him. This is why the church
is so weak. Many indulge freely So frivolity, selfish
indulgence, and careless indifference on the part of professed Christians are
turning away many souls from the path of life. Many there are who will fear
to meet at the bar of God the results of their influence. {COL 341.1} It is only
through the grace of God that we can make a right use of this endowment.
There is nothing in us of ourselves by which we can influence others for
good. If we realize our helplessness and our need of divine power, we shall
not trust to ourselves. We know not what results a day, an hour, or a moment
may determine, and never should we begin the day without committing our ways to
our heavenly Father. His angels are appointed to watch over us, and if we put
ourselves under their guardianship, then in every time of danger they will be
at our right hand. When unconsciously we are in danger of exerting a wrong
influence, the angels will be by our side, prompting us to a
Time The value of
time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it
is thus that we should regard it. Life is too short to be trifled away. We
have but a few days of probation in which to prepare for eternity. We have no
time to waste, no time to devote to selfish pleasure, no time for the
indulgence of sin. It is now that we are to form characters for the future,
immortal life. It is now that we are to prepare for the searching judgment. {COL 342.2} The human
family have scarcely begun to live when they begin to die, and the world's
incessant labor ends in nothingness unless a true knowledge in regard to
eternal life is gained. The man who appreciates time as his working day will
fit himself for a mansion and for a life that is immortal. It is well that he
was born. {COL 342.3} We are
admonished to redeem the time. But time squandered can never be recovered. We
cannot call back even one moment. The only way in which we can redeem our
time is by making the most of that which remains, by
being co-workers with God in His great plan of redemption. {COL 342.4} In him who does
this, a transformation of character takes place. He becomes a son of God, a
member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King. He is fitted to be
the companion of the angels. Now is our time to labor for the
salvation of our fellow men. There are some who think that if they give money
to the cause of Christ, this is all they are required to do; the precious
time in which they might do personal service for Him passes unimproved. But
it is the privilege and duty of all who have health and strength to render to
God active service. All are to labor in winning souls to Christ. Donations of
money cannot take the place of this. {COL 343.1} Every moment is
freighted with eternal consequences. We are to stand as minute men, ready for
service at a moment's notice. The opportunity that is now ours to speak to
some needy soul the word of life may never offer again. God may say to that
one, "This night thy soul shall be required of thee," and through
our neglect he may not be ready. (Luke 12:20.) In the great judgment day, how
shall we render our account to God? {COL 343.2} Life is too
solemn to be absorbed in temporal and earthly matters, in a treadmill of care
and anxiety for the things that are but an atom in comparison with the things
of eternal interest. Yet God has called us to serve Him in the temporal
affairs of life. Diligence in this work is as much a part of true religion as
is devotion. The Bible gives no indorsement to
idleness. It is the greatest curse that afflicts our world. Every man and
woman who is truly converted will be a diligent worker. {COL 343.3} Upon the right
improvement of our time depends our success in acquiring knowledge and mental
culture. The cultivation of the intellect need not
be prevented by poverty, humble origin, or unfavorable
surroundings. Only let the moments be treasured. A few moments here and a few
there, that might be frittered away in aimless talk; the morning hours so
often wasted in bed; the time spent in traveling on trams or railway cars, or
waiting at the It is the duty of every
Christian to acquire habits of order, thoroughness, and dispatch. There is no
excuse for slow bungling at work of any character. When one is always at work
and the work is never done, it is because mind and heart are not put into the
labor. The one who is slow and who works at a disadvantage should realize
that these are faults to be corrected. He needs to exercise his mind in
planning how to use the time so as to secure the best results. By tact and
method, some will accomplish as much in five hours as others do in ten. Some
who are engaged in domestic labor are always at work not because they have so
much to do but because they do not plan so as to save time. By their slow,
dilatory ways they make much work out of very little. But all who will, may
overcome these fussy, lingering habits. In their work let them have a
definite aim. Decide how long a time is required for a given task, and then bend
every effort toward accomplishing the work in the given time. The exercise of
the will power will make the hands move deftly. {COL 344.1} Through lack of
determination to take themselves in hand and reform,
persons can become stereotyped in a wrong course of action; or by cultivating
their powers they may acquire ability to do the very best of service. Then
they will find themselves in demand anywhere and everywhere. They will be
appreciated for all that they are worth. By many children and youth, time
is wasted that might be spent in carrying home burdens, and thus showing a
loving interest in father and mother. The youth might take upon their strong
young shoulders many responsibilities which someone must bear. {COL 345.1} The life of
Christ from His earliest years was a life of earnest activity. He lived not
to please Himself. He was the Son of the infinite God, yet He worked at the
carpenter's trade with His father Joseph. His trade was significant. He had
come into the world as the character builder, and as such all His work was
perfect. Into all His secular labor He brought the same perfection as into
the characters He was transforming by His divine power. He is our pattern. {COL 345.2} Parents should
teach their children the value and right use of time. Teach them that to do
something which will honor God and bless humanity is worth striving for. Even
in their early years they can be missionaries for God. {COL 345.3} Parents cannot
commit a greater sin than to allow their children to have nothing to do. The
children soon learn to love idleness, and they grow up shiftless, useless men
and women. When they are old enough to earn their living, and find
employment, they work in a lazy, droning way, yet expect to be paid as much
as if they were faithful. There is a world-wide difference between this class
of workers and those who realize that they must be faithful stewards. {COL 345.4} Indolent,
careless habits indulged in secular work will be brought into the religious
life and will unfit one to do any efficient service for God. Many who through diligent labor might have been a blessing
to the world, have been ruined through idleness. Lack of employment and of
steadfast purpose opens the door to a thousand temptations. Evil companions
and vicious habits deprave mind and soul, and the result is ruin for this
life and for the life to come. Whatever the line of work in
which we engage, the word of God teaches us to be "not slothful in
business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." "Whatsoever thy
hand findeth to do, do it with thy might,"
"knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ." Rom. 12:11; Eccl. 9:10; Col.
3:24. {COL 346.1}
Health Anything that
lessens physical strength enfeebles the mind and makes it less capable of
discriminating between right and wrong. We become less capable of choosing
the good and have less strength of will to do that which we know to be right.
{COL 346.3} The misuse of
our physical powers shortens the period of time in which our lives can be
used for the glory of God. And it unfits us to accomplish the work God has
given us to do. By allowing ourselves to form wrong habits, by keeping late
hours, by gratifying appetite at the expense of health, we lay the foundation
for feebleness. By neglecting physical exercise, by overworking mind or body,
we unbalance the nervous system. Those who thus shorten their lives and unfit
themselves for service by disregarding nature's laws,
are guilty of robbery toward God. And they are robbing their fellow men also.
The opportunity of blessing others, the very work for which God sent them
into the world, has by their own course of action been cut short. And they
have unfitted themselves to do even that Transgression
of physical law is transgression of the moral law; for God is as truly the
author of physical laws as He is the author of the moral law. His law is
written All should have an intelligent
knowledge of the human frame that they may keep their bodies in the condition
necessary to do the work of the Lord. The physical life is to be carefully
preserved and developed that through humanity the divine nature may be
revealed in its fullness. The relation of the physical organism to the
spiritual life is one of the most important branches of education. It should
receive careful attention in the home and in the school. All need to become
acquainted with their physical structure and the laws that control natural
life. He who remains in willing ignorance of the laws of his physical being
and who violates them through ignorance is sinning against God. All should
place themselves in the best possible relation to life and health. Our habits
should be brought under the control of a mind that is itself under the
control of God. {COL 348.1} "Know ye
not," says the apostle Paul, "that your body is the temple of the
Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For
ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your
spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:19, 20. {COL 348.2}
Strength Christ was a
true worker in temporal as well as in spiritual things, and into all His work
He brought a determination to do His Father's will. The things of heaven and
earth are more closely connected and are more directly under the supervision
of Christ than many realize. It was Christ who gave to the
builders of the tabernacle wisdom to execute the most skillful
and beautiful workmanship. He said, "See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur,
of the tribe of Judah; and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in
wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of
workmanship. . . . And I, behold, I have given with
him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach,
of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have
put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee." Ex.
31:2-6. {COL 349.1} God desires
that His workers in every line shall look to Him as the Giver of all they
possess. All right inventions and improvements have their source in Him who
is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working. The skillful
touch of the physician's hand, his power over nerve and muscle, his knowledge
of the delicate organism of the body, is the wisdom of divine power, to be
used in behalf of the suffering. The skill with which the carpenter uses the
hammer, the strength with which the blacksmith makes the anvil ring, comes
from God. He has entrusted men with talents, and He expects them to look to
Him for counsel. Whatever we do, in whatever department of the work we are
placed, He desires to control our minds that we may do perfect work. {COL 349.2} Religion and
business are not two separate things; they are one. Bible religion is to be
interwoven with all we do or say. Divine and human agencies are to combine in
God has proclaimed the
principles on which alone this co-operation is possible. His glory must be
the motive of all who are laborers together with
Him. All our work is to be done from love of God and in accordance with His
will. {COL 350.1} It is just as
essential to do the will of God when erecting a building as when taking part in
a religious service. And if the workers have brought the right principles
into their own character making, then in the erection of every building they
will grow in grace and knowledge. {COL 350.2} But God will
not accept the greatest talents or the most splendid service unless self is
laid upon the altar, a living, consuming sacrifice. The root must be holy, else there can be no fruit acceptable to God. {COL 350.3} The Lord made
Daniel and Joseph shrewd managers. He could work through them because they
did not live to please their own inclination but to please God. {COL 350.4} The case of
Daniel has a lesson for us. It reveals the fact that a businessman is not
necessarily a sharp, policy man. He can be instructed by God at every step.
Daniel, while prime minister of the kingdom of Babylon, was a prophet of God,
receiving the light of heavenly inspiration. Worldly, ambitious statesmen are
represented in the word of God as the grass that groweth
up and as the flower of the grass that fadeth. Yet
the Lord desires to have in His service intelligent men, men qualified for
various lines of work. There is need of businessmen who will weave the grand
principles of truth into all their transactions. And their talents should be
perfected by most thorough study and training. If men in any line of work
need to
Money Our money has
not been given us that we might honor and glorify ourselves. As faithful
stewards we are to use it for the honor and glory of God. Some think that
only a portion of their means is the Lord's. When they have set apart a
portion for religious and charitable purposes, they regard the remainder as
their own, to be used as they see fit. But in this they mistake. All we
possess is the Lord's, and we are accountable to Him for the use we make of
it. In the use of every penny, it will be seen whether we love God supremely
and our neighbor as ourselves. {COL
351.2} Money has great
value, because it can do great good. In the hands of God's children it is
food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and clothing for the naked. It is
a defense for the oppressed, and a means of help to
the sick. But money is of no more value than sand, only as it is put to use
in providing for the necessities of life, in blessing others, and advancing
the cause of Christ. Hoarded wealth is not merely
useless, it is a curse. In this life it is a snare to the soul, drawing the
affections away from the heavenly treasure. In the great day of God its
witness to unused talents and neglected opportunities will condemn its
possessor. The Scripture says, "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl
for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and
your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver
is cankered; and the rust of them shall bear witness against you, and shall
eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last
days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields,
which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth; and the
cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth." James 5:1-4. {COL 352.1} But Christ
sanctions no lavish or careless use of means. His lesson in economy,
"Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost," is for
all His followers. (John 6:12.) He who realizes that his money is a talent
from God will use it economically, and will feel it a duty to save that he
may give. {COL 352.2} The more means
we expend in display and self-indulgence, the less we can have to feed the
hungry and clothe the naked. Every penny used unnecessarily deprives the
spender of a precious opportunity of doing good. It
is robbing God of the honor and glory which should flow back to Him through
the improvement of His entrusted talents. {COL 352.3}
Kindly Impulses and Affections
Talents Multiplied by Use The humble worker who obediently
responds to the call of God may be sure of receiving divine assistance. To
accept so great and holy a responsibility is itself elevating to the
character. It calls into action the highest mental and spiritual powers, and
strengthens and purifies the mind and heart. Through faith in the power of
God, it is wonderful how strong a weak man may become, how decided his
efforts, how prolific of great results. He who begins with a little
knowledge, in a humble way, and tells what he knows, while seeking diligently
for further knowledge, will find the whole heavenly treasure awaiting his
demand. The more he seeks to impart light, the more light he will receive.
The more one tries to explain the word of God to others, with a love for
souls, the plainer it becomes to himself. The more we use our knowledge and
exercise our powers, the more knowledge and power we shall have. {COL 354.1} Every effort
made for Christ will react in blessing upon ourselves.
If we use our means for His glory, He will give us more. As we seek to win
others to Christ, bearing the burden of souls in our prayers, our own hearts
will throb with the quickening influence of God's grace; our own affections
will glow with more divine fervor; our whole
Christian life will be more of a reality, more earnest, more prayerful. {COL 354.2} The value of
man is estimated in heaven according to Looking unto Jesus we obtain
brighter and more distinct views of God, and by beholding we become changed.
Goodness, love for our fellow men, becomes our natural instinct. We develop a
character which is the counterpart of the divine character. Growing into His
likeness, we enlarge our capacity for knowing God. More and more we enter
into fellowship with the heavenly world, and we have continually increasing
power to receive the riches of the knowledge and wisdom of eternity. {COL 355.1}
The One Talent It was the one
with the smallest gift who left his talent unimproved. In this is given a
warning to all who feel that the smallness of their endowments excuses them
from service for Christ. If they could do some great thing, how gladly would
they undertake it; but because they can serve only in little things, they
think themselves justified in doing nothing. In this they err. The Lord in
His distribution of gifts is testing character. The man who neglected to
improve his talent proved himself an unfaithful servant. Had he received five
talents, he would have buried them as he buried the one. His misuse of the
one talent showed that he despised the gifts of heaven. "He that is faithful in
that which is least is faithful also in much." Luke 16:10. The
importance of the little things is often underrated because they are small;
but they supply much of the actual discipline of life. There are really no
nonessentials in the Christian's life. Our character building will be full of
peril while we underrate the importance of the little things. {COL 356.1} "He that
is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." By unfaithfulness in
even the smallest duties, man robs his Maker of the service which is His due.
This unfaithfulness reacts upon himself. He fails of
gaining the grace, the power, the force of
character, which may be received through an unreserved surrender to God.
Living apart from Christ he is subject to Satan's temptations, and he makes
mistakes in his work for the Master. Because he is not guided by right
principles in little things, he fails to obey God in the great matters which
he regards as his special work. The defects cherished in dealing with life's
minor details pass into more important affairs. He acts on the principles to
which he has accustomed himself. Thus actions repeated form habits, habits
form character, and by the character our destiny for time and for eternity is
decided. {COL 356.2} Only by
faithfulness in the little things can the soul be trained to act with
fidelity under larger responsibilities. God brought Daniel and his fellows
into connection with the great men of Babylon, that these heathen men might become
acquainted with the principles of true religion. In the midst of a nation of
idolaters, Daniel was to represent the character of God. How did he become
fitted for a position of so great trust and honor? It was his faithfulness in
the little things that gave complexion to his whole life. He honored God in
the smallest duties, and the Lord co-operated with him. To Daniel and his
companions God As God called Daniel to witness
for Him in Babylon, so He calls us to be His witnesses in the world today. In
the smallest as well as the largest affairs of life He desires us to reveal
to men the principles of His kingdom. {COL 357.1} Christ in His
life on earth taught the lesson of careful attention to the little things.
The great work of redemption weighed continually upon His soul. As He was
teaching and healing, all the energies of mind and body were taxed to the
utmost; yet He noticed the most simple things in
life and in nature. His most instructive lessons were those in which by the
simple things of nature He The work to which as Christians
we are called is to co-operate with Christ for the salvation of souls. This
work we have entered into covenant with Him to do. To neglect the work is to
prove disloyal to Christ. But in order to accomplish this work we must follow
His example of faithful, conscientious attention to the little things. This
is the secret of success in every line of Christian effort and influence. {COL 358.1} The Lord
desires His people to reach the highest round of the ladder that they may
glorify Him by possessing the ability He is willing to bestow. Through the
grace of God every provision has been made for us to reveal that we act upon
better plans than those upon which the world acts. We are to show a superiority in intellect, in understanding, in skill and
knowledge, because we believe in God and in His power to work upon human
hearts. {COL 358.2} But those who
have not a large endowment of gifts need not become discouraged. Let them use
what they have, faithfully guarding every weak point in their characters,
seeking by divine grace to make it strong. Into every action of life we are
to weave faithfulness and loyalty, cultivating the attributes that will
enable us to accomplish the work. {COL 358.3} Habits of
negligence should be resolutely overcome. Great truths must be brought
into little things. Practical religion is to be carried into the lowly duties
of daily life. The greatest qualification for any man is to obey implicitly
the word of the Lord. {COL 359.1} Because they
are not connected with some directly religious work, many feel that their
lives are useless; that they are doing nothing for the advancement of God's
kingdom. But this is a mistake. If their work is that which someone must do,
they should not accuse themselves of uselessness in the great household of
God. The humblest duties are not to be ignored. Any honest work is a
blessing, and faithfulness in it may prove a training
for higher trusts. {COL 359.2} However lowly,
any work done for God with a full surrender of self is as acceptable to Him
as the highest service. No offering is small that is given with
true-heartedness and gladness of soul. {COL 359.3} Wherever we may
be, Christ bids us take up the duty that presents itself. If this is in the
home, take hold willingly and earnestly to make home a pleasant place. If you
are a mother, train your children for Christ. This is as verily a work for
God as is that of the minister in the pulpit. If your duty is in the kitchen,
seek to be a perfect cook. Prepare food that will be healthful, nourishing,
and appetizing. And as you employ the best ingredients in preparing food
remember that you are to give your mind the best thoughts. If it is your work
to till the soil or to engage in any other trade or occupation, make a
success However small your talent, God
has a place for it. That one talent, wisely used, will accomplish its
appointed work. By faithfulness in little duties, we are to work on the plan
of addition, and God will work for us on the plan of multiplication. These littles will become the most precious influences in His
work. {COL 360.1} Let a living
faith run like threads of gold through the performance of even the smallest
duties. Then all the daily work will promote Christian growth. There will be
a continual looking unto Jesus. Love for Him will give vital force to
everything that is undertaken. Thus through the right use of our talents, we
may link ourselves by a golden chain to the higher world. This is true
sanctification; for sanctification consists in the cheerful performance of
daily duties in perfect obedience to the will of God. {COL 360.2} But many
Christians are waiting for some great work to be brought to them. Because
they cannot find a place large enough to satisfy their ambition, they fail to
perform faithfully the common duties of life. These seem to them
uninteresting. Day by day they let slip opportunities for showing their
faithfulness to God. While they are waiting for some great work, life passes
away, its purposes unfulfilled, its work unaccomplished. {COL 360.3}
The Talents Returned Those who have
received the five and the two talents return to the Lord the entrusted gifts
with their increase. But when the Master receives the
talents, He approves and rewards the workers as though the merit were all their own. His countenance
is full of joy and satisfaction. He is filled with delight that He can bestow
blessings upon them. For every service and every sacrifice He requites them,
not because it is a debt He owes, but because His heart is overflowing with
love and tenderness. {COL 361.1} "Well
done, thou good and faithful servant," He says; "thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler
over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." {COL 361.2} It is the
faithfulness, the loyalty to God, the loving service, that
wins the divine approval. Every impulse of the Holy Spirit leading men to
goodness and to God, is noted in the books of
heaven, and in the day of God the workers through whom He has wrought will be
commended. {COL 361.3} They will enter
into the joy of the Lord as they see in His kingdom those who have been
redeemed through their instrumentality. And they are privileged to
participate in His work there, because they have gained a fitness for it by
participation in His work here. What we shall be in heaven is the reflection
of what we are now in character and holy service. Christ said of Himself,
"The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister."
Matt. 20:28. This, His work on earth, is His work in heaven. And our reward
for working with Christ in this world is the greater power and wider
privilege of working with Him in the world to come. "Then he which had received
the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee
that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering
where thou hast not strewed; and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in
the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine." {COL 362.1} Thus men excuse
their neglect of God's gifts. They look upon God as severe and tyrannical, as
watching to spy out their mistakes and visit them with judgments. They charge
Him with demanding what He has never given, with reaping where He has not
sown. {COL 362.2} There are many
who in their hearts charge God with being a hard master because He claims
their possessions and their service. But we can bring to God nothing that is
not already His. "All things come of Thee," said King David;
"and of Thine own have we given Thee." 1 Chron. 29:14. All things
are God's, not only by creation, but by redemption. All the blessings of this
life and of the life to come are delivered to us stamped with the cross of
Calvary. Therefore the charge that God is a hard master, reaping where He has
not sown, is false. {COL 362.3} The master does
not deny the charge of the wicked servant, unjust as it is; but taking him on
his own ground he shows that his conduct is without excuse. Ways and means
had been provided whereby the talent might have been improved to the owner's
profit. "Thou oughtest," he said,
"to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should
have received mine own with usury." {COL 362.4} Our heavenly
Father requires no more nor less than He has given us ability to do. He lays
upon His servants no burdens that they are not able to bear. "He knoweth
our frame; He remembereth that we are dust."
Ps. 103:14. All that He claims from us we through divine grace can render. {COL 362.5} "Unto
whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much But when we give ourselves
wholly to God and in our work follow His directions, He makes Himself
responsible for its accomplishment. He would not have us conjecture as to the
success of our honest endeavors. Not once should we
even think of failure. We are to co-operate with One who knows no failure. {COL 363.1} We should not
talk of our own weakness and inability. This is a manifest distrust of God, a
denial of His word. When we murmur because of our burdens, or refuse the
responsibilities He calls upon us to bear, we are virtually saying that He is
a hard master, that He requires what He has not given us power to do. {COL 363.2} The spirit of
the slothful servant we are often fain to call
humility. But true humility is widely different. To be clothed with humility
does not mean that we are to be dwarfs in intellect, deficient in aspiration,
and cowardly in our lives, shunning burdens lest we fail to carry them
successfully. Real humility fulfills God's purposes by depending upon His
strength. {COL 363.3} God works by
whom He will. He sometimes selects the humblest instrument to do the greatest
work, for His
The Talent Removed Let none
suppose that they can live a life of selfishness, and then, having served
their own interests, enter into the joy of their Lord. In the joy of
unselfish love they could not participate. They would not be fitted for the
heavenly In the great judgment day those
who have not worked for Christ, those who have drifted along, carrying no
responsibility, thinking of themselves, pleasing themselves, will be placed
by the Judge of all the earth with those who did evil. They receive the same
condemnation. {COL 365.1} Many who
profess to be Christians neglect the claims of God, and yet they do not feel
that in this there is any wrong. They know that the blasphemer, the murderer,
the adulterer, deserves punishment; but as for them, they enjoy the services
of religion. They love to hear the gospel preached, and therefore they think
themselves Christians. Though they have spent their lives in caring for
themselves, they will be as much surprised as was the unfaithful servant in
the parable to hear the sentence, "Take the talent from him." Like
the Jews, they mistake the enjoyment of their blessings for the use they
should make of them. {COL 365.2} Many who excuse themselves from Christian effort plead their inability for the work. But did God make them so incapable? No, never. This inability has been produced by their own inactivity and perpetuated by their deliberate choice. Already, in their own characters, they are realizing the result of the sentence, "Take the talent from him." The continual misuse of their talents will effectually quench for them the Holy Spirit, which is the only light. The sentence, "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness," sets Heaven's seal to the choice which they themselves have made for eternity. {COL 365.3} |
|
|