Chapter 54—Training for Service
Considering the light that God has given, it is marvelous that there
are not scores of young men and women inquiring, “Lord, what wilt
Thou have me to do?” It is a perilous mistake to imagine that unless
a young man has decided to give himself to the ministry, no special
effort is required to fit him for the work of God. Whatever may be
your calling, it is essential that you improve your abilities by diligent
study.
Young men and women should be urged to appreciate the heaven-
sent blessings of opportunities to become well-disciplined and intel-
ligent. They should take advantage of the schools that have been
established for the purpose of imparting the best of knowledge. It is
sinful to be indolent and negligent in regard to obtaining an education.
Time is short, and therefore, because the Lord is soon to come to
close the scenes of earth’s history, there is all the greater necessity of
improving present opportunities and privileges.
Consecrate Ability to God
Young men and young women should place themselves in our
schools, in the channel where knowledge and discipline may be ob-
tained. They should consecrate their ability to God, become diligent
Bible students, that they may be fortified against erroneous doctrine,
and not be led away by the error of the wicked; for it is by diligent
searching of the Bible that we obtain a knowledge of what is truth. By
[186]
the practice of the truth we already know, increased light will shine
upon us from the holy Scriptures....
Those who are truly consecrated to God will not enter the work
prompted by the same motive which leads men to engage in worldly
business, merely for the sake of a livelihood, but they will enter the
work allowing no worldly consideration to control them, realizing that
the cause of God is sacred.
163