Sacrifice Rewarded

Before asking them to leave their fishing boats, Jesus had given them the assurance that God would supply their needs. He richly repaid them for the use of Peter’s boat. He who is “rich to all who call upon Him,” has said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” Romans 10:12; Luke 6:38. This was the measure He had used in rewarding Peter’s service. And every sacrifice made in His ministry will be repaid. See Ephesians 2:7; 3:20.HH 107.6

During that sad night on the lake, separated from Christ, unbelief pressed hard upon the disciples. But Jesus’ presence ignited their faith and brought joy and success. It is the same with us: apart from Christ our work is fruitless, and it is easy to distrust and complain. But when we labor under His direction, we rejoice in the evidence of His power. He inspires us with faith and hope. He whose word could gather the fish from the sea can also impress human hearts and draw them so that His servants may become “fishers of men.”HH 107.7

Christ was abundantly able to qualify humble and unschooled men for the position for which He had chosen them. The Savior did not despise education. When it is controlled by the love of God, intellectual culture is a blessing. But the wise men of His time were so self-confident that they could not become colaborers with the Man of Nazareth. They scorned Christ’s efforts to teach them. The first thing that all who want to become workers with God need to learn is the lesson of self-distrust. Then they are prepared to receive the character of Christ. This does not come through education in scientific schools.HH 108.1