The parable of the talents should receive prayerful, critical attention. By it we are shown the importance of trading diligently and conscientiously on our Lord's goods. Not one thread of selfishness is to be woven into His work. Worldly ambition is not to be cherished. We are to keep self out of sight, holding Christ before the world. We are to bring glory to God by doing our best to be perfect men and perfect women.PrT October 13, 1904, par. 1

Christ gave the parable of the talents to show us that all the blessings we have come from God. Our gifts belong to Him. They are not to be used according to human judgment, but according to the directions given in God's Word. We are to study how we may use these gifts for the up-building of the cause of truth.PrT October 13, 1904, par. 2

In the parable our Saviour says, “And unto one He gave five talents, to another two, and to another one: to every man according to his several ability.” Here we are shown that different gifts are entrusted to different individuals. With the talents given him, be they many or few, each one is to do his utmost to glorify God. Talents improve and multiply as they are used in the service of the Master.PrT October 13, 1904, par. 3

In the parable, the one who received five talents and the one who received two are represented as trading wisely on their talents, so that when their lord returned, they were able to present to him that which he had entrusted to them, together with what they had gained by trading. And to each were spoken the words of commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”PrT October 13, 1904, par. 4

“But he that received one, went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.” When the time came for him to render an account, he said, “Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed; and I was afraid, and went and hid my talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine.”PrT October 13, 1904, par. 5

“His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed, thou oughtest therefore, to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”PrT October 13, 1904, par. 6

Today thousands are doing as the unfaithful servant did. They live for self when God desires them to improve their abilities for Him, that they may act their part in His work. They excuse themselves by saying that they have but one talent. But if used for God, that one talent would accomplish much.PrT October 13, 1904, par. 7

By careful use the slothful servant might have doubled the talent which instead of using he hid in the ground.PrT October 13, 1904, par. 8

In our work the thought of glorifying God is to be made prominent. The business man is to bring the principles of heaven into every line of his work. In all he does the Christlikeness is to be clearly revealed. He who tills the soil is to make his work an object lesson of the careful, thorough work which must be done in the culture of the soil of the heart. The mechanic is to do his very best, bringing his work as near perfection as possible.PrT October 13, 1904, par. 9

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” The Lord cannot unite with those who are careless and slothful in their work. He leaves them to themselves, choosing for His service those who do well every piece of work they handle, those who manage economically, gathering up the fragments, so that nothing will be lost.PrT October 13, 1904, par. 10

Those who work for the Lord must remember that they are members of the royal family, and that they are to do all their hands find to do as in the sight of the heavenly universe. Never must they slight their work, doing it in such a way that He who has redeemed them will be ashamed of it. They are to guard against doing anything that will lead to carelessness or irreverence. They are ever to remember the words, “Ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's building.” By following principles of strict integrity they are to build up a symmetrical character.PrT October 13, 1904, par. 11

Christ will increase the talents of every faithful worker. This is the principle He always follows in dealing with His servants in this world. But the full honour in store for the one who in this life works with an eye single to the glory of God, will not be bestowed until the day of judgment. Then Christ will say to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”PrT October 13, 1904, par. 12

Mrs. E. G. White.

August 25, 1904