Chapter 56—Stewards of Strength
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.
Mark 12:30
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To every man is committed individual gifts, termed talents. Some
regard these talents as being limited to certain men who possess superior
mental endowments and genius. But God has not restricted the bestowal
of His talents to a favored few. To every one is committed some special
endowment, for which he will be held responsible by the Lord. Time, reason,
means, strength, mental powers, tenderness of heart—all are gifts from God,
entrusted to be used in the great work of blessing humanity.
In the capital of strength a precious talent has been entrusted to men for
labor. This is of more value than any bank deposit, and should be more highly
prized.... It is a blessing that cannot be purchased with gold or silver, houses
or lands; and God requires it to be used wisely. No man has a right to sacrifice
this talent to the corroding influence of inaction. All are as accountable for
the capital of physical strength as for their capital of means....
The essential lesson of contented industry in the necessary duties of life is
yet to be learned by many of Christ’s followers. It requires more grace, more
stern discipline of character, to work for God in the capacity of mechanic,
merchant, lawyer, or farmer, carrying the precepts of Christianity into the
ordinary business of life, than to labor as an acknowledged missionary in
the open field. It requires a strong spiritual nerve to bring religion into the
workshop and the business office, sanctifying the details of everyday life,
and ordering every transaction according to the standard of God’s word. But
this is what the Lord requires.
Religion and business are not two separate things; they are one. Bible
religion is to be interwoven with all we do or say. Divine and human agencies
are to combine in temporal as well as in spiritual achievements.
We are to love God, not only with all the heart, mind, and soul, but with
all the strength. This covers the full, intelligent use of the physical powers.
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