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Pastoral Ministry
because you labor with the true purpose and object, recognizing God
as the owner of all that you possess and you seeking wisdom to use his
goods to advance his glory. You then are ministering, not slothful in
business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Then human lives will be
blessed through your influence. The mind will be on heavenly things,
you will be as in the presence of Jesus, and diffuse light to all around
you. A truly Christian life will cost us thoughtfulness, searching of
the Scriptures, and most earnest, persevering prayer. It will not be
prayer without point and purpose, but it will be the intercession of a
heart burdened for poor sinners out of Christ. It will be a heart longing
to do service for Jesus in personal effort for the saving of souls of
men.—
Important Testimony to our Brethren and Sisters in New York
(Ph 39) 9, 10
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Spiritual Gifts
The Holy Spirit commits to every Christian some gift or talent
which is to be used to advance the kingdom—The present is our day
of trust. To every person is committed some peculiar gift or talent
which is to be used to advance the Redeemer’s kingdom. All God’s
responsible agents, from the lowliest and most obscure to those in
high positions in the church, are entrusted with the Lord’s goods. It is
not the minister alone who can work for the salvation of souls. Those
who have the smallest gifts are not excused from using the very best
gifts they have, and in so doing their talents will be increased. It is
not safe to trifle with moral responsibilities nor to despise the day of
small things. God’s providence proportions His trusts according to the
varied capabilities of the people. None should mourn because they
cannot glorify God with talents which they never possessed and for
which they are not responsible.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:618
.
Ministers should encourage those in the church whom God
has selected to do a special work—There is danger that ministers,
that presidents of conferences, will take too much upon themselves
and manifest too little confidence in the people. The people should
be educated in such a way that they will search the Scriptures for
themselves. The Holy Spirit is to work to mold every man after the
similitude of Christ. Men have made a great mistake in not considering
that God works through His church. Ministers should give ample