God’s people have a might work before them, which work must rise to greater preeminence. It was only a few who were at first commissioned to go upon the stage of action and begin the work. Gradually the work advanced. And if there had been perfect unity among those whom God set as the defenders of His banner, they would have been greatly honored.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 1

God brought this work from a small beginning into great importance. His truth was to be defended, for men were placing contempt upon the Sabbath of creation, which God declares to be a sign between His people and the unbeliever. Exodus 31:12-18. And as often as opposers labored to destroy the work, they were defeated. Truth has gradually asserted itself. Providence and grace have done a wonderful work.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 2

There are only two classes in our world, those who like Cain refuse to obey God and those who like Abel steadfastly adhere to the commandments of God. Those who are now rooted and grounded in the truth range on one side, standing shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, in defense of the law of Jehovah. Those who are supporting falsehood in opposition to truth range on the side of the prince of darkness. So oppression is brought in. Those who have yielded themselves up to do the will of Satan strive to oppress God’s servants, as Cain oppresses Abel.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 3

The great crisis if just before us. Now is the time to work. God would have us present the truth in its simplicity, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. When this work is done faithfully, many will be convicted and converted by the power of the Holy Spirit. There is need of workers who will come close to unbelievers, not waiting for unbelievers to come close for them, workers who will search for the lost sheep, who will do personal labor, and who will give precise, definite instruction. Many more workers ought to be in the field. There should be one hundred at work where there is now only one. Many who have not been licensed or ordained may work in their homes and in the regions about them.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 4

We call upon our brethren to sell and give alms, to do a large widespread work. Every church member should be thoroughly imbued with the spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice. If this were so, a thousand doors of usefulness would be opened, and men and women would be invited to enter. God’s people are on trial before the heavenly universe, but the scantiness of their gifts and offerings marks them as unfaithful stewards. If what they are doing is the best they could do, condemnation would not come upon them. But with their resources they could do much more. The world knows, and they know, that they have to a large degree lost the spirit of self-denial and cross-bearing.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 5

If God’s people had the love of Christ in the heart, if they manifested thorough earnestness, their resources would be multiplied. The world is perishing in its misery, but how few are really burdened over the matter. There is a lack of that love that led Christ to leave His heavenly home and take man’s nature, that humanity might touch humanity, and draw humanity to divinity.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 6

What we need is men and women who show that they are converted by being imbued with the Spirit of Christ, who realize that they are united in church capacity [so] that they may use their influence and moral power to save those who are without God and without hope in the world. We call upon every church member, in the name of Christ, to deny self, take up the cross, and follow Jesus. The holidays are just before us, when men and women will spend much upon presents for their relations and friends, while God is forgotten.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 7

“God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] Who will now teach their children that there is One to whom gifts and thank offerings should be given. For our sake Christ gave Himself up to a life of self denial and poverty, a life without luxuries, without adornments, without houses or lands. “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” [Luke 9:58.] He gave Himself as a sinless offering, that men might have opportunity to return to God. Today the heavenly Watcher waits to see who will appreciate this inestimable gift. Those who refuse to receive and obey the truth show contempt for the sacrifice made for them, and will be called upon to answer for the choice they have made.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 8

We are all taking sides, and by the choice we make we are either honoring or insulting the One who for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All this He who is the brightness of His Father’s glory did to give evidence of His love for fallen man. He has paid the ransom for the souls of every son and daughter of Adam. How much have men and women shown their love for Him? They have allowed their attention to be diverted from him to their own pleasure, their own enjoyment. The money that they have been permitted to handle is the Lord’s, and he would have it used, not to gratify selfish inclination, not for the things that will destroy the reasoning faculties, but to bring souls to him, and in this way increase the number of those who are laborers together with God.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 9

The call comes to us, “Sell that ye have, and give alms.” [Luke 12:33.] All that gives money its value is the use that is made of it. Money locked up is useless; but money invested in the Lord’s work is of the highest value. The Lord requires men to make the best use of their money, because it is not their own, but lent to them on trust. He gave the world as His donation His own life, stooping from His exalted position in the heavenly courts to one of humiliation on this earth, that fallen men might take hold of His strength, and become partakers of the divine nature.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 10

God calls for those who will be workers together with Him. Connected with Christ, human nature becomes true and pure. Christ supplies the power necessary for labor with God, and man becomes a power for good. In Christ’s name and strength we may do what we will. Truthfulness and integrity are attributes of God, and he who possesses these qualities possesses a power which is invincible.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 11

Your money is lent you on trust to be returned to God. In the coming Christmas and New Year let your gifts and offerings flow into God’s treasury. As we near the close of 1898, do not let words be written and spoken that will give others the idea that they are not expected to give to the cause of God. No man in any position has any right to say by pen or voice, “We will not call upon you to make offerings or gifts this year.” Thus they encourage others to think that they have done all they should. It will be time enough for us to think this when we can look up to heaven and say, “Lord, we have called upon thee so much that we will not ask thee for gifts and donations this year. We will let thee rest a while.” How would human beings live if the gifts and blessings of heaven were not constantly flowing to them? God gives constantly that man may give constantly. There is no time when gifts and offerings should not come in accordance with the resources which God has provided.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 12

It is not our own money that we are handling. It is God’s, and His work cannot advance unless His treasury is supplied by gifts and offerings. God has lent us means that we may return His own to him. And if we faithfully do our duty, there will always be enough for home and foreign missions.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 13

All that we do is to be done willingly. We are to bring our offerings with joy and gratitude, saying as we present them, Of Thine own we freely give Thee. The most costly service we can render is but meager compared to the gift of God to our world. Christ is a gift every day. God gave Him to the world, and He graciously takes the gifts entrusted to His human agents for the advancement of His work in the world. Thus we show that we recognize and acknowledge that every thing belongs to God, absolutely and entirely.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 14

God calls upon us to be laborers together with Him. This is the message that He sends to us through various means. The truth is to be presented to those who know not God. The Bible is to be read to those who will hear it. The Holy Spirit co-operates with him who opens the Scriptures to others. The minister who is a true shepherd gives the Word to the people. He engages earnestly in personal labor, and makes supplication to God. This is all the human agent can do. He sows the seed, but he knows not which shall prosper, either this or that: but God giveth the increase. He draws, He leads, He searches the heart.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 15

Work must be done at home and in the regions beyond. This work requires God’s entrusted money. Those who are truly converted are under obligation to do a work which requires money and consecration. The Lord does not propose to come to this world and lay down gold and silver. He supplies men with resources, that they may, be their gifts and offerings, keep His work advancing. It is not returning to God His entrusted gifts that makes men poor; withholding them tends to poverty, for the one purpose above all others for which God’s gifts should be used is the sustaining of workers in the great harvest field.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 16

A revival in Bible lines is needed throughout the world. Attention must be given, not to the assertions of men, but to the Word of God. The Lord calls upon His shepherds to feed the flock of God with pure provender. Bible teachers must be placed in the schools that have been established, and these must draw their salaries from the storehouse of God. He has made ample provision that his treasury shall be abundantly supplied with tithes and offerings.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 17

In every school that God has established there will be a demand for the Bible, and Bible teachers can do a most wonderful work, if they will themselves learn from the great Teacher. The study of God’s Word is to take the place of the study of books that have been placed in the hands of students and have led some away from the truth.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 18

When God declared that His Word should not return unto Him void, He meant all He said. The gospel is to be preached to all nations throughout the world. The Bible is to be an open book. A knowledge of God is the highest education, and it will cover the earth with its wonderful truth as the waters cover the sea. The Bible is to be read and studied. It is to be the great textbook of education in our world, for it carries the evidence of its truth in every page. Students in our schools are to be educated to be Bible workers. The churches should take this matter in hand, remembering that means will be required in order that man and women may be qualified to put on the armor of righteousness and fight the battles of the Lord.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 19

God calls for means. As churches are raised up, all must take hold of the work decidedly, for the gospel is to be preached to every creature. While a great work is being done in medical missionary lines, we are not to forget that our schools must have the best ministerial talent, that students may be educated in the Scriptures, for they are the power of God unto salvation. God’s Word is true philosophy, true science. Human opinions and sensational preaching amount to very little.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 20

Those who are imbued with the Word of God can teach it in the same simple manner that Christ taught it. Too much depends on the opening of the Scriptures to those who are in darkness to use one word that cannot be readily understood. With all their learning many of those who claim to teach the higher education do not know what they are talking about. The highest education is that which can be made so plain as to be understood by the common people. The greatest Teacher the world ever knew used the simplest language and the plainest symbols.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 21

Please read the third chapter of Malachi. “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” [Verses 7-12.] There is much robbery of God.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 22

When our church members are truly lovers of God’s Word, they will reveal the best and strongest qualities, and the nobler they are, the more childlike in spirit will they be, believing the Word of God against all selfishness.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 23

Money itself is to be earned by labor. Every youth is to be educated in habits of industry. The Bible condemns no man for being rich, if he has acquired his riches honestly. His wealth will prove the greatest blessing to him if he realizes that he is God’s steward, and that he is to return to the Lord his own in tithes and offerings.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 24

God’s ministers are His shepherds, appointed by him to feed his flock. The money in God’s treasury should be regarded as sacred to the maintenance of these workers. The men who are called upon to do the work of God are to be sustained in a proper manner, not in so niggardly a way that they are constantly embarrassed for want of funds. Yet there is to be no extravagance. Economy is to be practiced, because the needs of the cause of God are many, and it must advance.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 25

It is no sin to use the capabilities and talents with which God has endowed us to acquire means to give. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil. God has arranged that the ability He gives man with which to obtain riches should not be looked upon as a means to gratify self, but as a means of rendering God His own.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 26

Money itself is a precious treasure, if the one who possesses it realizes that it is not his own, but the Lord’s to be received with thankfulness, and with thankfulness returned to the Giver. Wealth is praised as a great blessing to the man who loves and fears God; for by a right use of his means such a man shows that he realizes that he is God’s purchased possession.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 27

Christ is the first, and the last, and the efficiency of everything. All things belong to Him, by original and mediatorial efficiency. He has entrusted means to human beings to fulfil his mediatorial plan. Evil was foreseen and provided for. In the divine plan a remedy was provided sufficient for complete restoration. But in this plan man himself must act a part, as the created agency through whom God would work. Christ has placed man in his great plan that he may become his workman. But man must take hold of the work as the instrument through which God is working for humanity. As Christ labored for sinners, so man must labor, that humanity may be brought into connection with divinity.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 28

If we are saved, it will be through Christ and Him alone. “What, know ye not that ... ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] Think of the price that was paid for us! The world has received the gift of God’s only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. We gain perfection by coming to Christ, who is as the tree of life to us. We were brought into existence because we were needed. God’s vast design in the mediatorial economy shows that He has embraced all humanity in His plan. He calls upon men and women to show themselves Christians, that they may fill their appointment as agents chosen to carry out His purposes.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 29

“Ye are laborers together with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Christ enlists in His service all who will consent to stand under His authority, all who will wear His yoke and accept the conditions which unite the human with the divine. Those who do this are molded by the influence that through the grace of Christ unites heart to heart, mind to mind, in one complete whole.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 30

Shall we not remember that our only hope is the assurance that we shall always be cared for and provided for by Christ. He is our Creator and our Redeemer. He embraced the world in His arms of infinite love. This give Him a claim to all the value there is in any human being. He has a claim on all we have, and nothing can ever cancel this claim. However indifferent the human agent may think it is his privilege to be, he will be judged according to the provisions of grace which cost heaven so much. God gave His only begotten Son that man might be restored to a oneness with Christ.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 31

Man may ignore his responsibility, he may choose to be controlled and inspired by Satan, to withdraw himself from all righteous principles, as though he lived by his own inventions. Nevertheless, he will be judged as a man who might have used all his capabilities in the service of God, but who refused to do this, and took his position under the black banner of the power of darkness. His failure to do the good he might have done had he been a partaker of the divine nature will be recorded against him as a sign that he despised and neglected the great mercy and loving-kindness of God, refusing to recognize His claim to his service.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 32

God’s claims upon us are all-powerful, because all that we have is only ours by sufferance. It is entrusted to us to see whether we will be obedient. The claim of redemption is above all other plans, for in it every claim is involved. “Ye are not your own: for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which is God’s.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.]13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 33

Those who unite with Christ to do His service derive their power from Him. This is the reason that tithes and offerings are to flow from us to God. Christ is to be indeed as One crucified among us. The realization of the sacrifice made in our behalf is to be ever fresh; it is ever to exert an influence on our minds. It is a sad thought that if we stand on the wrong side, in the ranks of the enemy, we are lost to the design of our creation. We are disappointing our Redeemer, for the powers He designed for His service are used to oppose His grace and matchless love. This should be sufficient to keep us ever humble.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 34

Many are lost to God through individual consent. But Christ is represented as hunting, searching for the sheep that was lost. It is His love that encircles us, bringing us back to the fold, giving us the privilege of sitting together with Him in heavenly places. When the blessed light of the Sun of Righteousness shines into our hearts, we sit in peace and joy in the Lord. Oh, praise the Lord! Praise Him who is the light of our countenance and our salvation. “What? know ye not that ... ye are not your own? for ye are bought with a price.” [Verses 19, 20.] This is the science and song of all the heavenly universe.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 35

Behold the cross and the Victim uplifted upon it. Know you not that He loved us, and gave Himself for us, that we in return should give ourselves to Him? He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. Look at those hands, pierced with the cruel nails. Look at His feet, fastened with spikes to the tree. That suffering, that agony, is the price of your redemption. The word of command was given, Deliver them from going down to perish eternally. I have found a ransom!13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 36

O, that all the impenitent might feel and understand that the Spirit of God is leading them with inexpressible solicitude and gracious importunity to the feet of Jesus. And He who gave His life for you was delivered for your offenses, has been raised for your justification, and is waiting to receive your homage. “How much owest thou unto my Lord?” [Luke 16:5.] Compute this you cannot. Is there any part of your being that He has not redeemed, or anything in your possession that is not already His? When He calls for it, you are not to selfishly grasp it as your own. You are indebted to Him for everything you have. Will you keep it back, and apply it for some other purpose than the salvation of men, women, and children? This is the way thousands of souls are lost. Whoever you may be, let the means that the Lord has entrusted to you be used to His own name’s glory.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 37

Looking up to heaven in supplication, present yourself as His servant and all that you have as His, saying, Lord, of Thine own we freely give Thee. Standing in view of the cross of Calvary and the Son of the infinite God crucified for you, realizing that matchless love, that wonderful display of grace, let the earnest inquiry be, Lord, what wilt thou that I should do? He has told you. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” [Mark 16:15, 20.]13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 38

Do what you can to make known the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to others. When those who know the truth sense their accountability, they will take hold of the work. How can we better show that we appreciate God’s sacrifice, His great donation to our world, than by sending forth gifts and offerings, with praise and thanksgiving from our lips, because of the great love wherewith He has loved us and drawn us to Himself? His gentleness hath made us great. Do all in your power to make known His grace. When you see souls in the kingdom of God saved through your service, you will rejoice that you had the privilege of doing this work.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 39

Do not withhold the gifts which are necessary to sustain the work of God. The heavenly universe is waiting for channels through which the tide of mercy may flow throughout the world. Had the purpose of God been acted out by His people, the saints would now have received their welcome into the City of God. We need far less of self, and far more of Christ. The same power that the apostles had upon the Day of Pentecost is for those who do God’s service in 1898. Those who love God should not live as though they were under little or no obligation to God. All who have an understanding of the truth should act constantly as if the duty of living consecrated lives to God, were the only obligation they were under. They should show that they have a sense of the work to be done, and that they are willing to do it by heeding the words of Christ, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” [Luke 9:23.]13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 40

All who follow Christ will work as He worked. They will not live to please themselves. In the place of living to show their love for themselves by absorbing means to flatter their own vanity, they will show that they have on the wedding garment, the robe of Christ’s righteousness, and that they are conveying to others the invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The knowledge of the rich repast of truth the redemption Christ offers to the world will be proclaimed in the message they bear, and in the wedding garment which they wear, testifying to the atoning death of Christ which has prepared for them the marriage feast.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 41

Why should not love to Christ be expressed to the world by all who receive Him by faith, as verily as that love has been expressed for those for whom He died? What a revelation was made of that love to perishing souls, guilty in their transgression of the law of God! Devoted service is to be shown in saving the souls for whom Christ died. We are to be unsparing in our efforts to save those who are perishing out of Christ. He, the Redeemer of the world, can and will save the souls of all who will come unto Him. We can never imitate Christ in this work, but we can co-operate with Him in His great plan by being laborers together with God. We can comply with His invitation, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” [Matthew 11:29.]13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 42

We are to tell others of Christ’s compassion, laboring with untiring earnestness to uplift Jesus, pointing to Him, as did John, and saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.” [John 1:29.] The work left us to do is to endeavor to draw all men unto Christ. We are to present Christ crucified among us, just as though we felt the reality of the scene we picture to other minds. He who gave Himself to us has laid us under obligation to Him. He has brought us into church capacity that He may engage and engross all our capabilities in devoted service for the salvation of others. He gave Himself for us, that He might purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.13LtMs, Ms 124, 1898, par. 43

Ms 123a, 1898

Ms 125, 1898