Living In The Light

September 8, God Requires Our Best Service

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
—Philippians 2:4 LL 266.1

All who are connected with the light will let their light shine to the world, and will, in their testimonies, praise God, to whom their hearts will flow forth in gratitude. Those who have a vital union with Christ will rejoice in the assurance of His love. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. Walking in the light, they will never disgrace their profession or bring reproach upon the cause of Christ. It is the privilege of every child of God to store his mind with divine truth; and the more he does this, the more vigor and clearness of mind he will have to fathom the deep things of God. He will be more and more earnest and vigorous, as the principles of the truth are carried out in his daily life. LL 266.2

We should all be workers together with God. No idlers are acknowledged as His servants. The members of the church should individually feel that the life and prosperity of the church are affected by their course of action. Those in the church who have sufficient talent to engage in any of the various vocations of life, such as teaching, building, manufacturing, and farming, generally should be prepared to labor for the upbuilding of the church by serving on committees or as teachers in Sabbath schools, engaging in missionary labor, or filling the different offices connected with the church. LL 266.3

God requires that the first, the best, and the most useful talents shall be employed to carry forward His work upon the earth. The same zeal and energy, tact and order which are exercised in counting-rooms and shops, and in the fine arts, should be brought into the religious life and exercised in the work of God. All are responsible for the talents given them of God to use to His glory. He calls for them to come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty LL 266.4

Many will give money because it costs less self-denial and self-sacrifice than to give themselves. Some say, “My business claims all my time. So numerous are my engagements and so pressing their demands, I cannot give my time.” Of what avail is means without agents to use it? Ministers cannot do a tithe of the work necessary to be done at this time to save souls and preserve the vitality of the church.— Review and Herald, February 15, 1887. LL 266.5

Further Reflection: : Have you accepted responsibility for your part of God’s work? LL 266.6