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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
the commission given to His disciples by the Son of God: “All power
is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations.” “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature,” “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the
end of the world.”
Those who are truly converted are called to do a work that requires
money and consecration. The obligation that binds us to place our
names on the church roll holds us responsible to work for God to the
utmost of our ability. He calls for undivided service, for the entire
devotion of heart, soul, mind, and strength. Christ has brought us into
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church capacity that He may engage and engross all our capabilities
in devoted service for the salvation of souls. Anything short of this is
opposition to the work. There are only two places in the world where
we can deposit our treasures—in God’s storehouse or in Satan’s, and
all that is not devoted to Christ’s service is counted on Satan’s side and
goes to strengthen his cause.
The Lord designs that the means entrusted to us shall be used in
building up His kingdom. His goods are committed to His stewards
that they may be carefully traded upon and bring back a revenue to
Him in the saving of souls unto eternal life. And these souls in their
turn will become stewards of the truth, to co-operate with the great
firm in the interests of the kingdom of God.
Wherever there is life, there is increase and growth; in God’s
kingdom there is a constant interchange—taking in, and giving out;
receiving, and returning to the Lord His own. God works with every
true believer, and the light and blessings received are given out again
in the work which the believer does. Thus the capacity for receiving is
increased. As one imparts of the heavenly gifts, he makes room for
fresh currents of grace and truth to flow into the soul from the living
fountain. Greater light, increased knowledge and blessing, are his. In
this work, which devolves upon every church member, is the life and
growth of the church. He whose life consists in ever receiving and
never giving, soon loses the blessing. If truth does not flow forth from
him to others, he loses his capacity to receive. We must impart the
goods of heaven if we desire fresh blessings.