The Signs of the Times
November 25, 1903
Service
A life of idleness and self-pleasing is not the life of a Christian, nor has it ever been. Christ was an untiring worker, and He has given to His followers the law of service,—a law that is the link binding man to God and to his fellow-men. ST November 25, 1903, par. 1
Christ found His highest joy in service. Not to be ministered unto, but to minister, did He come to this earth. See Him teaching in the temple, by the sea, on the mountainside, in the great thoroughfares of travel. See Him by the bedside of the sick, speaking peace and hope to the afflicted. He went about doing good, comforting the mourners, helping the helpless, healing the wounds that sin had made. ST November 25, 1903, par. 2
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,” He declared, “because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” ST November 25, 1903, par. 3
A life of service is the truest, noblest life that man can live. By such a life we are brought into touch with Him who is the light and life of the world. Service is an honor conferred on man as an heir of heaven. He is to find his joy in true-hearted, unselfish efforts to help and bless those around him. ST November 25, 1903, par. 4
Countless are the opportunities for unselfish service. There are many to whom life is a painful struggle; they feel their deficiencies, and are miserable and unbelieving; they think they have nothing for which to be grateful. Kind words, looks of sympathy, expressions of appreciation, would be to many a struggling and lonely one as a cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. A word of sympathy, an act of kindness, would lift burdens that rest heavily upon weary shoulders. And every word or deed of unselfish kindness is an expression of the love of Christ for lost humanity. ST November 25, 1903, par. 5
“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” No soul who believes in Christ, even tho his faith may be weak and his steps wavering, is to be lightly esteemed. By all that has given us advantage over another,—be it education, refinement, Christian training, religious experience, we are in debt to those less favored, and, so far as lies in our power, we are to stay up the hands of the weak. Angels of glory, that do always behold the face of the Father in heaven, joy in ministering to His little ones. Trembling souls, who have many objectionable traits of character, are their special charge. Angels are ever present where they are most needed, with those who have the hardest battle with self to fight, and whose surroundings are the most discouraging. ST November 25, 1903, par. 6
We shall individually be held responsible for doing one jot less than we have ability to do. The Lord measures with exactness every possibility for service. The unused capabilities are just as much brought into account as those that are used. We shall be judged according to what we ought to have done, but did not accomplish because we did not use our powers to glorify God. Even if we do not lose our souls, we shall realize through all eternity the result of our unused talents. ST November 25, 1903, par. 7
The Reward of Service
As you open your doors to Christ's needy and suffering ones, you are welcoming unseen angels. You invite the companionship of heavenly beings. They bring a sacred atmosphere of peace and joy. They come with praises upon their lips, and an answering strain is heard in heaven. Every deed of mercy makes music there. The Father from His throne numbers the unselfish workers among His most precious treasures. ST November 25, 1903, par. 8
At the last great day Christ will say to these workers, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in; naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. ST November 25, 1903, par. 9
“Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? ST November 25, 1903, par. 10
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” ST November 25, 1903, par. 11