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Cause in Vermont
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unbelieving, world-loving children, who they know will not use the
means they have placed in their hands, to advance the cause of God.
The Lord requires that those to whom He has lent talents of means
make a right use of them, having the advancement of His cause
prominent. Every other consideration should be inferior to this.
The talents of means, be they five, two, or one, are to be im-
proved. Those who have a large amount of means are responsible
for a large number of talents. But the comparatively poor men are
not released from responsibility. Those who have but little of this
world are represented as having one talent. Yet they are in just as
great danger of having too great love for that little, and of selfishly
retaining it from the cause of God, as are the more wealthy. They do
not sense their danger. They apply the stirring reproofs addressed
in the word of God to the lovers of this world, to the rich alone,
while they themselves may be in even greater danger than the more
wealthy. Whether they have much or little, all are required to put
their talents out to the exchangers, that when the Master comes He
may receive His own with usury. They are also required to maintain
a consecration to God and an unselfish interest in His cause and
work. Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
they are to believe His promise that all things shall be added. In
comparison with every other consideration the salvation of the souls
of their fellow men should be primary, but this is not generally the
case. If there is a neglect anywhere, it is the cause of God that
must suffer. God has lent men talents, not to foster their pride, or
to excite in them envy, but to be used by them to His glory. He has
made these men agents to disperse the means with which to carry
forward the work of the salvation of men. Christ has given them an
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example in His life. He left all His heavenly riches and splendor,
and for our sakes became poor, that we, through His poverty, might
be made rich. It is not the plan of God to rain down means from
heaven in order that His cause may be sustained. He has entrusted,
or deposited, ample means with men, that there shall be no lack in
any department of His work. He proves those who profess to love
Him by placing means in their hands, and then tries them to see if
they love the gift better than the Giver. God will reveal, in time, the
true feelings of the heart.