Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? Luke 19:23.

Our lifetime is precious, and every action should be considered. It has been granted us that we might accomplish a work that will be acknowledged by the Lord as good, enduring as eternity, if we will lay hold of it in the right spirit. It is an intensely solemn thing to live in view of the account we must render to God of our time, our talents, and our influence….

In the use of the talents entrusted to him, no man is called by God to lay off his individual responsibility [so] that another man may do his trading for him. To every man God has given his work, and man is accountable to God for how that work is done….

We are not called upon to give account of our talents to man, but to God. Our mind, our judgment, our tact, our wisdom—all are given to us of God, to be improved for Him; and it is God who will call us to account for the way in which we have used His gifts….

The period of life in every case is beset with temptations, and it is through faith in Jesus Christ alone that we shall find grace to help in every time of need. But each worker has a life to live, a character to form. Each period of life brings with the passing years some special opportunities for work; and each advancing year must be made use of, improved to the very best of human capability. This, with the aid of divine agencies, will show improvement, advancement onward and upward, walking step by step in a safe path heavenward.

Each day, each hour of life, from childhood to youth, from youth to middle age, and onward to old age, our life history is being as faithfully recorded in the books of heaven as the polished plate of the artist reflects the features of the sitter. Each day, each hour, brings with it advantages which the human agent must improve. We cannot afford to lose a moment by doing careless work for the Lord. We must use our entrusted talents with fidelity, that earnest, honest, pure, clean work may bring glory to God. Nothing less will be accepted by Him. Our work in this world is to reveal the pure principles that are current in heaven. This is the only kind of work that will be acknowledged in the courts of heaven, and accepted as pure and holy by the Lord.—Manuscript 28, October 4, 1896, “To Those Concerned in Publishing Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing.”

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And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John 3:22.

For a long time I have seen the danger that was coming into our ranks in the tendency to look to human wisdom and to depend on human guidance. This will always prove a snare to souls, and I am bidden to lift the danger signal, warning my fellow workers against it, and pointing them to the Lord Jesus. The man or woman who leans upon the wisdom of the human mind leans on a broken reed.

I am instructed to point those who are in need of wisdom to the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world…. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:5-8, 12).

“Ask, and it shall be given you,” the Saviour declared; “seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7, 8)….

Never should a worker encourage one who is in need of instruction and help to go first to human agencies for an understanding of his duty…. It is a wrong education to teach our people to lean on human aids, instead of going to the Lord in prayer. The enemy of souls has been the instigator of this, that minds might become obscured…. Those who bear responsibilities in the work are to cooperate with heavenly angels in teaching men and women to look to God as the source of their strength….

Consecrate yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ. Seek the One who understands your every weakness, and who never makes a mistake. He is able to impart to you His rich grace. Looking unto Jesus, studying His Word, learn to humble your soul before God and to wrestle in prayer with Him….

Christ ever manifested a heavenly courtesy in dealing with human souls. His life was a life of constant self-denial and self-sacrifice. Those who are numbered with the overcomers will be those who have practiced the virtues of Christ.—Letter 324, October 3, 1907, to a church administrator.

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For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18.

I feel thankful to God for His rich blessings to me…. Keep His praise in your heart from morning till night. Speak not one word of repining, but ask for the healing power of God to come to your heart and mind. Be cheerful and hopeful. Praise the Lord….

The world is rapidly filling up the measure of their iniquity. O may the Lord give me much of His love and grace and power to meet and rebuke the powers of darkness. We must keep the way of the Lord, looking unto Jesus, who is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. We are not to allow one discouraging word to pass our lips. But we can praise the Lord that we can believe and trust in Jesus. He is the Light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

Let us talk faith, talk courage. Let our lips utter the praise of the Lord. Behold Him, behold Him who is the Light of the world. Talk of His love, tell of His wonderful works….

We are now to be faithful stewards to our trust, whatever our line of work may be. We are to look to Jesus, and work after the divine pattern. God requires faithfulness in every soul that touches His work. Not one thread of Satan’s sophistry is to be brought into the fabric.

We have many things to remind us of our need of chastisement…. We need these misfortunes, else they would not have been permitted to come. The words are spoken “Well done, good and faithful servant,” not “Well done, good and successful servant.”

Our work individually is to make a heart and a life surrender. We must die to self. The exhibitions of selfishness are so marked. Many men, many of our ministers, are unprepared to engage successfully in the work of saving souls. Soul, body, and spirit need to be reconverted. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12)….

Christ is moving upon hearts. Shall those who have had the messages of truth for years continue to need a reconversion? Some give evidence that they do not discern the working of the Spirit of God. They manifest a spirit to tear down and pull down. Every thread of a spirit of domineering needs to be taken away. The Lord has a mighty work to be done by those who will let themselves be worked by Him.—Letter 314, October 2, 1906, to O. A. Olsen, president of the Australian Union Conference.

From The Upward Look – Page 289

Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. Luke 5:10.

Jesus asks the use of Simon’s boat. Although weary with his toil and disappointment, Simon cheerfully complies with the request of Christ. The unpretentious fishing boat is made the pulpit from which come forth the words of Christ. Surely the little craft of Simon’s was never so honored as on this occasion. It had never been put to so profitable use by its owner. Jesus proclaims Bible truth; He speaks words of eternal life. The truths spoken in that sermon … [have gone] all over the world, and accomplished a work that eternity alone will reveal.

When the judgment shall sit, and the books of record shall be opened, and the history of this effort is revealed, it will be seen that a light … [then] sprang up to be reflected all through the world through time and through eternity. This experience has been repeated to thousands of the messengers of the Lord Jesus, and has inspired hope and courage and faith.

“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught” (Luke 5:4).

The night was the most favorable time for the fishermen to work successfully, for in the clear water the fish would in the daylight see the net, and avoid it. Having toiled all night unsuccessfully, it seemed useless, according to human wisdom, to let down the net.

“Master,” replied Simon, “we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net” (verse 5).

This was true obedience. Here is an instance of implicit trust in the words of Christ, in spite of an objectionable past experience. Our first lesson is to learn the will of God, even though we pass through trying circumstances, and then, knowing His will, to obey unquestioningly. Such obedience will always be rewarded.

What was the result of Simon’s obedience? “And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their nets brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink” (verses 6, 7).

Jesus designed this experience to be an encouragement to these fishermen in their future efforts in fishing for souls…. What a powerful influence this wonderful transaction produced upon the minds of these humble fishermen! Christ’s power had drawn the fish into Simon’s net, but these honest-hearted men were themselves completely caught in the net that Christ has prepared for them. “They forsook all, and followed him” (verse 11).—Manuscript 79, October 1, 1906, “Leave Your Nets and Follow Me.”

From The Upward Look – Page 288

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. Joel 2:23.

The Spirit of God is a convincing power. When this is breathed upon the church, there will be a decided change in their spiritual efficiency. The Lord God is ready to give, but many do not realize their necessity of receiving. They are weak, when they might be strong; powerless, when they might be powerful through receiving the efficiency of the Holy Spirit….

From those who see the light and truth the message must go forth with a power that they do not have, and do not feel it essential that they should have. When they do take hold upon the Mighty One by living faith; when the truth is to them a living reality, then they will see a work done that at the present they do not dream of. There is a sleepy indifference upon the people who are right upon the borders of the eternal world. They have missionary work to do, decided testimonies to bear. The trumpet is to give a certain sound in warnings, in reproofs, in entreaties. All should put forth earnest labor in seeking to save perishing souls.

What means this deadness? What means this spirit of being self-centered? Time is passing! The end is near! Whom are you trying to save from the pit of destruction? O that God would breathe in these worldly-minded souls; O that they might feel to the very depths of their being that they must watch unto prayer, that they have entrusted talents to be used now, just now, whenever God calls for their gifts to advance His work in our world. Do they hear the voice of God saying, “Ye are the light of the world”? Imaginations and dreams and a knowledge of the truth are not enough. Every believer is to kindle his taper from the divine altar. All are to shine, because the light of the truth has come upon them, and they cannot help shining amid the moral darkness of the world….

There are souls to be revived; many to receive the joy of salvation into their own souls. They have erred, they have not been building a right character, but God has joy to restore to them, even the joy of His anointed. This will give efficiency and happiness and sanctified assurance—a living testimony. Tell the poor desponding ones who have gone astray from straight paths … [that] they need not despair. There is healing, cleansing for every soul who will come to Christ. There is a balm in Gilead; there is a Physician there.—Letter 93, September 30, 1896, to A. T. Robinson, a pioneer missionary and organizer in South Africa.

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