Sowing Beside All Waters

The Value of a Layman's Work in a Needy Community

In speaking of talented men, we usually think of those who have remarkable gifts, which enable them to do large things. Too often we think that only a favored few—men of superior genius and intellectual capabilities—can be called talented. But in Christ's parable of the talents are included all responsible human agents, from the humblest and poorest in this world's goods to those who are entrusted with talents of means and of intellect.... PH078 68.4

The Lord give talents proportionate to the several capabilities of His children. To every man is given his work. Those who do their duty to the best of their ability, using their talents aright, in a much needed work, show what hundreds of others could do if they only would. PH078 69.1

God has been pleased with the work that Brother ----- has done in arousing an interest in the community in which he settled after going South. [Reference is here made to the efforts of one of the first of Seventh-day Adventist laborers to undertake mission work among the “poor whites” in the South.] The Lord has accepted his efforts to trade upon his talents. As he has built his plain, unpretentious buildings, heavenly angels have been his helpers. It is this kind of work that makes a good impression on the minds of unbelievers. “Let your light so shine before men,” the Saviour says, “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” PH078 69.2

The Lord has graciously fitted Brother ----- to do a certain work. Not all men can do the work that he by his Christian experience is able to do. He can do excellent work in opening new fields, beginning in a humble way, and meeting the people where they are, coarse and rough though some of them may be. Working with Christ, he can adapt himself to the situation, winning the hearts of many. He is able to reach after souls and to draw them into the fold. In many places he can find opportunity to read and comment upon the Bible to children and to older people. He can labor for the conversion of souls. The Lord desires him to present the important points of truth to the people, in object-lessons, here a little and there a little. He is to remember that the Lord Jesus is the one who moves upon the heart. If he walks humbly with God, the Lord will continue to use him, giving him health and strength to do his appointed work. PH078 69.3

Our brother is to prepare the way in new fields for others to work. He should be given every possible encouragement to go forward and in his humble way reveal his loyalty to principle and his integrity to God. Let the truth fall from his lips in simple prayers and talks. In his unpretentious way he can reach a class that ministers generally cannot touch. PH078 70.1

Brother ----- is not to think that he has ability to do the most difficult work, the greatest service. Let him do a small work, and see it grow under his hand. In the past, the Lord has blessed him in doing his appointed work, and He will still bless him if he continues to work in the same line. Let him keep at the work by which, through faithfulness, he has attained success. PH078 70.2

So long as Brother ----- puts his trust in God alone, he will be given victory after victory. Angels of God will go before him. Let him encourage others to unite with him in pioneer work, planning with them to open new fields successfully and to erect humble church and school buildings. In teaching others to do what he has done, he will be engaged in an educational work of the highest value. PH078 70.3

No line of work will be of more telling advantage to the Southern field than will be the establishment of small schools. Let our people in the South wake up to the importance of this matter. True, it is not an easy work. But we should not neglect to take up this work because it is fraught with perplexity. PH078 71.1

Through faithful performance of duty, trading on the farthings entrusted to him, every worker may secure the recognition of heaven. He who diligently uses his talent aright in doing the work that needs to be done, need never feel that in order to be appreciated, he must do a higher work, for which he is not so well fitted.... PH078 71.2

Steady progress in a good work, the frequent repetition of one kind of faithful service, is of more value in God's sight than the doing of one great work, and wins for His children a good report, giving character to their efforts. Those who are true and faithful to their divinely appointed duties, are not fitful, but steadfast in purpose, pressing their way through evil as well as good reports. They are instant in season and out of season. PH078 71.3

The church of God is made up of many vessels, both large and small. The Lord works through the men and women who are willing to be used. He will bless them in doing the work that has brought blessing to many in the past,—the work of seeking to save souls ready to perish. PH078 71.4

In all the Lord's arrangements, there is nothing more beautiful than His plan of giving to men and women a diversity of gifts. The church is His garden, adorned with a variety of trees, plants, and flowers. He does not expect the hyssop to assume the proportions of the cedar, nor the olive to reach the height of the stately palm. Many have received but a limited religious and intellectual training, but God has a work for this class to do, if they will labor in humility, trusting in Him. [From letters written in 1902 to a worker among the “poor whites” in the South.] PH078 71.5