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Counsels on Stewardship
The Great Sin of Professed Christians
Every man, of whatever trade or profession, should make the cause
of God his first interest; he should not only exercise his talents to
advance the Lord’s work, but should cultivate his ability to this end.
Many a man devotes months and years to the acquirement of a trade
or profession that he may become a successful worker in the world;
and yet he makes no special effort to cultivate those talents which
would render him a successful laborer in the vineyard of the Lord.
He has perverted his powers, misused his talents. He has shown
disrespect to his heavenly Master. This is the great sin of the professed
people of God. They serve themselves, and serve the world. They
may have the name of being shrewd, successful financiers; but they
neglect to increase by use the talents which God has given them for
His service. The worldly tact is becoming stronger by exercise; the
spiritual is becoming weaker through inactivity.—
The Review and
Herald, January 1, 1884
.
The Sin of Neglect
If those whose talents are rusting from inaction would seek the
aid of the Spirit of God, and go to work, we should see much more
accomplished. Urgent appeals for help would stir hearts; and the
response would be made, “We will do what we can in our weakness
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and ignorance, looking to the Great Teacher for wisdom.” Can it be
that amid all these open doors for usefulness, these pathetic pleadings
for help, men and women will sit with folded hands, or employ those
hands only in selfish labor for earthly objects?
“Ye are the light of the world,” said Jesus to His disciples. But
how few are conscious of their own power and influence; how few
realize what they might do to be a help and a blessing to others.
They wrap their talent in a napkin, and bury it in the earth, and flatter
themselves that they possess a commendable humility. But the books
of heaven testify against these idlers, as slothful, wicked servants who
are grievously sinning against God by neglecting the work which He
has given them to do. They will make no plea of unfitness when the
heavenly records are opened, revealing their glaring neglect.