Chapter 62—Economy to be Practiced
“Gather Up the Fragments.”—Christ once gave His disciples
a lesson upon economy which is worthy of careful attention. He
wrought a miracle to feed the hungry thousands who had listened to
His teachings; yet after all had eaten and were satisfied, He did not
permit the fragments to be wasted. He who could, in their necessity,
feed the vast multitude by His divine power bade His disciples gather
up the fragments, that nothing might be lost. This lesson was given
as much for our benefit as for those living in Christ’s day. The Son of
God has a care for the necessities of temporal life. He did not neglect
the broken fragments after the feast, although He could make such a
feast whenever He chose
The lessons of Jesus Christ are to be carried into every phase of
practical life. Economy is to be practiced in all things. Gather up the
fragments, that nothing be lost. There is a religion that does not touch
the heart and therefore becomes a form of words. It is not brought
into practical life. Religious duty and the highest human prudence in
business lines must be co-mingled
Follow Christ in Self-denial—In order to become acquainted
with the disappointments and trials and griefs that come to human
beings, Christ reached to the lowest depths of woe and humiliation.
He has traveled the path that He asks His followers to travel. He says
to them, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” But professing Christians are
not always willing to practice the self-denial that the Saviour calls for.
They are not willing to bind about their wishes and desires in order
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that they may have more to give to the Lord. One says, “My family are
expensive in their tastes, and it costs much to keep them.” This shows
that he and they need to learn the lessons of economy taught by the
life of Christ....
1
Testimonies For The Church 4, 572, 573
.
2
Manuscript 31, 1897
.
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