The Signs of the Times
October 18, 1899
“Do All to the Glory of God”
All Belongs to God—No Christian Idler—Right Example in the Family
Those who enter the service of God must be faithful to their Leader. If during their former lifetime they have not given the powers of mind and soul and strength to the Lord, when they are converted they will realize that every capability belongs to God. The truly converted man will bring even his thoughts into obedience to the will of God. His mental and physical powers will be laid on the altar of sacrifice. His time is the Lord's; it is not to be idled away. All are bound by the most solemn obligations to redeem the time. Waste it not; make the most of it; do your best, as long as you live in the world, to be a blessing. Christ regarded every moment as precious. Thus should His followers regard their time. Those who are not directly engaged in the work of seeking to save that which was lost, should have some work. They should use the powers of mind and body to a purpose, that they may be able to place their gifts and offerings in the Lord's treasury, and bring a faithful tithe to Him. It is the duty of all who enjoy God's bounties to engage in useful employment. To every man is given his work, and upon the faithful performance of this work depends the blessing he receives. ST October 18, 1899, par. 1
He who wastes his precious time robs God of service due to Him. He is guilty of a neglect which God will not excuse. How can God welcome such an one into the courts above with the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; ... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”? ST October 18, 1899, par. 2
The strength belongs to God. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” This statement covers the use of the physical powers. There is no reason why a man who has strength of body should not use that strength in Christ's service. Every part of the being is to be employed to the glory of God. The Lord would not have given us such a definite specification had He not designed us to study carefully how much it comprehends. If you have physical strength, that strength is Christ's property. He who has in the past looked upon himself as above labor will when converted change his habits and use his physical powers to some purpose. An indolent man can not serve God; for he gives to others an example entirely contrary to the principles of Christ. No idler can be a practical Christian. Christ is our example, and He worked at the carpenter's trade with his father Joseph. There are no gentlemen idlers in God's vineyard; for there is earnest, practical work to be done. ST October 18, 1899, par. 3
After the precious message of truth is heard and received, the heart is touched and convicted; and when it turns to Jesus, the will is brought into subjection to Christ. The soul temple is cleansed from moral defilement, and made ready for Christ's indwelling. The deep moving of the Spirit fills the soul with earnest love for Christ. The receiver of truth could feast forever on the truth he hears; but he must go farther than merely receiving; he must impart the precious knowledge of the Redeemer's love; he must strive to uplift the crucified Saviour. Heart and soul are to be consecrated to God's service. ST October 18, 1899, par. 4
He who has a family is under obligation, as a steward of God, to set a right example to his children. He is to educate them to be intelligent and useful, to employ the strength given them by God in advancing His work in the world. By precept and example he is to train them to be faithful stewards. They are to be educated to realize that they hold in trust lent treasures, which are to be used to the very best advantage in God's service. ST October 18, 1899, par. 5
Teach your children that nothing is to be withheld from God, that all their gifts are to be used to promote His glory. Teach them to cherish a sense of their accountability to use wisely their intrusted capabilities, improving and perfecting them by use. They are accountable for the judicious exercise of every faculty. ST October 18, 1899, par. 6
God can not excuse those who have been bought by the blood of His Son, from working faithfully in His service. Every true Christian is a coworker with Christ. Nothing can be more offensive to God than to cripple or abuse the gifts lent us to be devoted to His service. The value of a soul is estimated by the price paid for it. It is written: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” “who will render to every man according to his deeds; to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.” ST October 18, 1899, par. 7
Mrs. E. G. White