The most miserable people are “Those who are absorbed in their own sorrows, who can enjoy only their own blessings, and labor only for their own good … . As we receive the gifts of God, we should impart to others the blessings Heaven has so richly bestowed upon us. To be happy ourselves we must live to make others happy.” The Signs of the Times, December 12, 1878.
Those who are proving themselves faithful will
- speak words of kindness
- perform deeds of love to the poor
- carry comfort to the homes of the desolate.
The people that do these things “will be the ones upon whom the Master will call to make sacrifices to carry the truth to those who are in darkness.” Ibid. Will the Master call upon you?
“A wise improvement of the talents bestowed will make the faithful doer great in the sight of God. The work of faithfulness must begin
- at their own door;
- in their own home must they show an unselfish spirit in all their acts,
- to those of their own households.” Ibid.
“ ‘Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.’ Matthew 7:21. The test of sincerity is not in words, but in deeds. Christ does not say to any man, What say ye more than others? but, ‘What do ye more than others?’ Matthew 5:47. Full of meaning are His words, ‘If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.’ John 13:17. Words are of no value unless they are accompanied with appropriate deeds. This is the lesson taught in the parable of the two sons.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 272.
A false profession? “In the parable [Matthew 21:28–31] the son who said, ‘I go, sir,’ represented himself as faithful and obedient; but time proved that his profession was not real. He had no true love for his father.” Ibid., 278.
Do not be deceived and prove yourself unfaithful. “Do not think that because you do not manifest decided hostility to Christ you are doing Him service. We thus deceive our own souls. By withholding that which God has given us to use in His service, be it time or means or any other of His entrusted gifts, we work against Him.” Ibid., 279, 280.
Did you know that by leaving duties undone and words unspoken, you have allowed Satan to gain control of souls who might have been won for Christ? We must prove faithful!
“Elisha had taken up the work that lay nearest. While possessing the capabilities of a leader among men, he received a training in life’s common duties. In order to direct wisely, he must learn to obey. By faithfulness in little things, he was prepared for weightier trusts.” Education, 58.
“He (Elisha) is spoken of as pouring water on the hands of Elijah, his master. As the prophet’s personal attendant, he continued to prove faithful in little things.” Ibid., 59.
Because he proved faithful: “Henceforth Elisha stood in Elijah’s place. And he who had been faithful in that which was least, proved himself faithful also in much.” Ibid., 60.
We must remember, “None can know what may be God’s purpose in His discipline; but all may be certain that faithfulness in little things is the evidence of fitness for greater responsibilities. Every act of life is a revelation of character, and he only who in small duties proves himself ‘a workman that needeth not to be ashamed’ (II Timothy 2:15) will be honored by God with weightier trusts.” Ibid., 61.
Father: Give me the strength to prove faithful in every area of my life. Put words of kindness in my heart that will flow out in deeds of love to others. Keep me faithful in the little things of life as Elisha was. Amen.