General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

TAKE TIME TO TALK WITH GOD

E. G. WHITE

Special instruction has been given me in regard to our ministers. It is not the will of God that they shall seek to be rich. They should not engage in worldly enterprises; for this disqualifies them for giving their best powers to spiritual things. But they are to receive wages enough to support themselves and their families. They are not to have so many burdens laid upon them that they can not give proper attention to the church in their own home. It is their duty to train their children for the Lord. GCB April 1, 1902, page 601.1

It is a great mistake to keep a minister constantly at work in business lines, going from place to place, attending board meetings and committee meetings, sitting up late at night. This brings to him weariness and discouragement. Ministers should have time to rest, to obtain from God’s word the rich nourishment of the bread of life. They should have time to drink refreshing draughts of consolation from the stream of living water. GCB April 1, 1902, page 601.2

Let ministers and teachers remember that God holds them accountable to fill their office to the best of their ability, to bring into their work their very best powers. They are not to take up duties that conflict with the work that God has given them. GCB April 1, 1902, page 601.3

When ministers and teachers, pressed under the burden of financial responsibility, enter the pulpit or the schoolroom with wearied brain and overtaxed nerves, what else can be expected than that common fire will be used instead of the sacred fire of God’s kindling. The strained, tattered efforts disappoint the listeners and hurt the speaker. He has had no time to seek the Lord, no time to ask in faith for the unction of the Holy Spirit. GCB April 1, 1902, page 601.4

In order for the efforts of God’s workers to be successful, they must receive that grace, that efficiency, which He alone can give. “Ask, and ye shall receive,” is the promise. Then why not take time to ask, to open the mind to the impressions of the Holy Spirit, that the soul may be revived by a fresh supply of life? Christ himself was much in prayer. Whenever He had opportunity, He went apart, to be alone with God. As we bow before God in humble prayer, He places a live coal from His altar on our lips, sanctifying them to the work of giving Bible truth to the people. GCB April 1, 1902, page 601.5

I am instructed to say to my fellow workers, If you would have the rich treasures of heaven, you must have secret communion with God. Unless you do this, your soul will be as destitute of the Holy Spirit as were the hills of Gilboa of dew and rain. When you hurry from one thing to another, when you have so much to do that you can not take time to talk with God, how can you expect power in your work? GCB April 1, 1902, page 601.6

The reason so many of our ministers preach tame, lifeless discourses is that they allow a variety of things of a worldly nature to take their time and attention. Unless there is constant growth in grace, we shall be wanting in words suitable for the occasion. Commune with your own heart, and then commune with God. Unless you do this, your efforts will be fruitless, made thus by unsanctified hurry and confusion. GCB April 1, 1902, page 601.7

Ministers and teachers, let your work be fragrant with rich spiritual grace. Do not make it common by mixing it with common things. Move onward and upward. Cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. GCB April 1, 1902, page 601.8

We need to be converted daily. Our prayers should be more fervent; then they will be more effectual. Stronger and stronger should be our confidence that God’s Spirit will be with us, making us pure and holy, as upright and fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. GCB April 1, 1902, page 601.9