1907

February 25, 1907

To Every Man His Work

EGW

We are laborers together with God. We must have spiritual workers; not only workers who labor in the pulpit for the churches, but those who will do personal work among the people. Too much time is devoted to the churches in preaching. This is not attended with the best results. The work of the Lord's ambassadors is to organize a company of workers to hunt for the souls who need help; but hours are spent in preaching that had better be devoted to personal, house-to-house labor. In the spirit of Christ, with a heart all aglow with His love, seek to win those in the family. Give faithful admonitions and instructions from the Word of God. There is appropriate and applicable scripture that needs to be presented, and to be presented in the love of Christ and in love for the souls for whom Christ has died. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” But many souls have had no personal labor. Words of kindly instruction in the application of scriptures have not been spoken to them.AUCR February 25, 1907, par. 1

When a church is visited by wise and experienced workmen, let these men find out if there is not something for them to do for that church that will be a blessing to families. Converse with them in regard to their spiritual advancement. Show them that they are under obligation to work as those who have received the grace of God. The missionary spirit must be kept awake; and in order for this spirit to live, the members of the church must be laborers together with God. It is time that unselfish, consecrated workmen should enter into families who have already accepted the truth, and yet have not worked for its advancement. It is time that our preaching brethren should minister not only in the congregation, but in families. Come close to your brethren; seek for them, help them; come close to the hearts as one touched with the feelings of their infirmities. Thus we may achieve victories that our small faith has not grasped. The members of these families should be given some labor to perform for the good of souls. Mutual love and confidence will give them moral force to be laborers together with God.AUCR February 25, 1907, par. 2

Pastors and churches are remiss in ministering, in educating faithfully the members of the church. If they are not acquainted with their duty in this respect, they need a teacher to instruct them. “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him this portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”AUCR February 25, 1907, par. 3

A steward identifies himself with his master. His master's interests become his. He has accepted the responsibilities of a steward, and he must act in the master's stead, doing as the master would do if he were presiding over his own goods. The position is one of dignity, in that his master trusts him. If a steward in any wise acts selfishly, and turns the advantages gained in trading with his lord's goods to his own advantage, he has perverted the trust reposed in him. The master can no longer look upon him as a servant to be trusted, one on whom he can depend.AUCR February 25, 1907, par. 4

Every Christian is a steward of God, entrusted with His goods. Ministers and laymen have a work committed to them as individuals. All who are connected by faith with our Lord Jesus Christ have a ministry to perform. Those who do not take their position on the Lord's side, ought to without delay; for they will have to give an account of themselves to God. Christ paid the ransom for them as verily as for every professed Christian. If they despise the gift, the question will be asked, “Who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”AUCR February 25, 1907, par. 5

Whether you are believers or unbelievers, you are the Lord's property, bought with a price. You may ignore your relationship with God as His children. Whose children, then, are you?—Children of the devil, and his deeds you are content to do. But all the influence you might have exercised by using your talent in behalf of truth and by co-operating with God, all the improvement your talents would have made if put into actual service through the provision made for you to co-operate with God, will be charged to your account. You stubbornly held yourself on Satan's side, giving your influence to the great apostate: and all the good you might have done through the atoning sacrifice, but did not do, will be charged against you when you are weighed in the balances and found wanting. You have a work to do. A special stewardship was entrusted to you, but you would not accept the trust. Christ crucified was presented to you. The Spirit of God pleaded with you. By being lifted up on the cross, Christ sought to draw you to Himself. But your stubborn will would not yield to His invitations. His appeals were resisted. You are stewards, notwithstanding: but unfaithful, dishonorable stewards, burying your talents in the world, serving Satan in the place of serving the Lord. Impenitent sinner, what excuse will you give to God for all your wasted opportunities?AUCR February 25, 1907, par. 6

Ministers of Jesus Christ, are you faithful in setting before families by personal effort their accountability to seek and to save that which is lost? Do you enter into this work, educating young men by taking them with you, and teaching them how to work? “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” He may not be an eloquent speaker, but he can present the truth in the clearest simplicity. He can work intelligently, doing his best according to his ability: and if he is faithful, God will give him wisdom, and increase his talents.AUCR February 25, 1907, par. 7

To some are entrusted larger responsibilities than to others. But if you have only one talent, you may increase it by use, to two. Then by working humbly, trustingly you may add to the two, two more. Thus the work in your charge may be continually growing. But there are a large number of idle stewards. They are to be found among those who bear credentials as ministers. But they do not minister, carrying the burden of souls. Dishonest, idle shepherds, they do not have travail for the souls that are perishing all around them.AUCR February 25, 1907, par. 8

Let every church-member carefully consider his responsibilities, and look himself in the face. Become acquainted with yourself. Urge home upon your own heart that you are not to seek to make yourself a specialty, for effect, for praise, but a specialty in seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Inquire seriously, Am I faithful? First be a most faithful steward over yourself. Search your own heart, and often compare it with the great mirror of the Word of God, until, tried and searched of God, you will be approved of Him, not having your own righteousness, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Strengthened by His might in the inner man, you will be accepted as a vessel unto honor.AUCR February 25, 1907, par. 9

Mrs. E. G. White