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The Youth’s Instructor

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November 30, 1899

The Parable of the Talents

Part 2.

EGW

God calls for missionaries. Those who know and love the truth should let their light shine to those who are in darkness. And in doing their appointed work, God will be to them wisdom and power. He will glorify himself by working with those who wholly follow him. YI November 30, 1899, par. 1

“If any man serve me,” he says, “him will my Father honor.” To every man God has given capabilities for work. To some he entrusts five talents, to others two, and to others only one; but he gives to every man according to his ability to use them. Are you who have named the name of Christ identifying yourself with him, and following his instruction? What are you doing with your Lord's entrusted capital? Your God-given advantages are to be carefully cherished, that you may do the best work in the Master's service. YI November 30, 1899, par. 2

Will you study the fourth chapter of Zechariah, and learn what the two olive branches mean? In this chapter the features of the work in which we are engaged are clearly set forth. YI November 30, 1899, par. 3

“And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: and two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my Lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” YI November 30, 1899, par. 4

We have no power nor efficiency in ourselves. The work must be done in the power of the Spirit of God. Zerubbabel could not understand this mystery; and as a little child, he confessed his ignorance, and placed himself as a learner. Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.” Man's weakness is no obstacle to the work God would have done; for he can save by many or by few. YI November 30, 1899, par. 5

“Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” YI November 30, 1899, par. 6

Great responsibilities rest upon those to whom the Lord has entrusted his goods. These gifts are to be cherished carefully. Our talents are not to be used to please and glorify self, but to honor him from whom the talents come. When our talents are appreciated and used, they will increase. The fulness of Christ awaits every receiver. Christ is waiting for us to ask him for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I may say, You will receive; but my word is not enough. You must take the words of Christ, and understand his willingness to bless and strengthen you, and give you the fulness of his riches. The more the precious treasures of grace are drawn upon, the more anxious shall we be for all to enjoy these riches. According to our capacity of understanding and appreciating them, will be our ability to impart. We are to draw from the inexhaustible source, and gladden starving souls by presenting to them the bread of life. We are to receive the holy oil from the heavenly messengers, and impart it to our fellow men. YI November 30, 1899, par. 7

Every youth should consider himself of value with God, because he has been entrusted with the richest gift that can be given. It is his privilege to be a living channel, through which God can communicate the treasures of his grace, the unsearchable riches of Christ. YI November 30, 1899, par. 8

Our sins may be as mountains before us, but if we humble our hearts in confession of them, trusting in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, we shall be forgiven, and shall be cleansed from all unrighteousness. The depth of a Saviour's love is revealed in our salvation. If we will accept this salvation, our testimony will be, “We have redemption through his blood.” The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death. We are more than conquerors through him that loved us, and gave himself for us. YI November 30, 1899, par. 9

It is here, right here in the world, that our talents are to be used. We are to lead souls to “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” It is our work, and should be our pleasure, to present in our lives the unsearchable riches of Christ. We may make daily progress in the path of holiness, and still find greater heights to be reached; but every stretch of the spiritual muscles, every tax on heart and brain, will bring to light the abundance of the supply of grace essential for us as we advance. The more we contemplate eternal things, the more we shall reveal the merits of a Saviour's sacrifice, the protection of his righteousness, the fulness of his wisdom, and his power to present us before the Father without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. YI November 30, 1899, par. 10

The words of the apostle to Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine,” may well be spoken to every church-member. The golden oil is the pure, unadulterated truth. When we receive and believe and practise the word, we shall be prepared for the great work that is waiting to be done, and we shall be fitted for the service we shall render to God through all eternity. YI November 30, 1899, par. 11

We are living amid the perils of the last days. There is need now of workers who will not fail nor be discouraged. We must be diligent in using the talents entrusted to us, that we may give back to God his own with usury. YI November 30, 1899, par. 12

Mrs. E. G. White