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The Religion of Little Things, November 15
His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou
hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many
things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:23
.
Said Christ, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in
much” (
Luke 16:10
). In the little matters some do not think it necessary to
be so very exact, but this is the deception of Satan.
Selfishness is at the root of all unfairness and all lack of fidelity....
There is with many of the youth who profess to believe the truth a vanity,
pride, profligacy, and carelessness that are making them reckless and
disqualifying them for a noble and elevated life here, and unfitting them
for the future life hereafter.... There is not with all a careful improvement
of the time for which they are paid. Those who fritter away their time or
fail to put it to the best use are robbing God. Some ... have a very favorable
opinion of those who are careless, reckless of money and reckless of time,
but God regards all these things in their true character—frauds which He
will avenge.
Time, talents, and skill are to be brought into use and put to the very
best account.... Let every one be true to principle, as if the eye of the Infinite
was upon him. You may, young men and women, make of yourselves what
you will, by the grace of God combined with earnest efforts and determined
will to resist inclination to indulgence....
Christ gave to man a perfect example, but those who move out on what
they call a liberal plan, and become careless in the little matters, will soon
show a wide deviation from Christ’s example, the only true pattern. Young
men and women, will you study more closely and prayerfully the life of
Christ, and make that life your criterion, your standard
Practical religion must be carried into the lowly duties of daily life.
And in the performance of these duties you are forming characters that
will stand the test of the judgment. Then, in whatever position you may
be placed, whatever your duties may be, do them nobly and faithfully,
realizing that all heaven is beholding your work
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18
Manuscript 6, 1878
.
19
The Youth’s Instructor, January 28, 1897.
336