Work and the Life
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If the followers of Christ were awake to duty, there would be
thousands where there is one today proclaiming the gospel in heathen
lands. And all who could not personally engage in the work, would
yet sustain it with their means, their sympathy, and their prayers. And
there would be far more earnest labor for souls in Christian countries.
We need not go to heathen lands, or even leave the narrow circle
of the home, if it is there that our duty lies, in order to work for Christ.
We can do this in the home circle, in the church, among those with
whom we associate, and with whom we do business.
The greater part of our Saviour’s life on earth was spent in patient
toil in the carpenter’s shop at Nazareth. Ministering angels attended
the Lord of life as He walked side by side with peasants and laborers,
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unrecognized and unhonored. He was as faithfully fulfilling His mis-
sion while working at His humble trade as when He healed the sick or
walked upon the storm-tossed waves of Galilee. So in the humblest
duties and lowliest positions of life, we may walk and work with Jesus.
The apostle says, “Let every man, wherein he is called, therein
abide with God.”
1 Corinthians 7:24
. The businessman may conduct
his business in a way that will glorify his Master because of his fi-
delity. If he is a true follower of Christ he will carry his religion into
everything that is done and reveal to men the spirit of Christ. The
mechanic may be a diligent and faithful representative of Him who
toiled in the lowly walks of life among the hills of Galilee. Everyone
who names the name of Christ should so work that others, by seeing
his good works, may be led to glorify their Creator and Redeemer.
Many have excused themselves from rendering their gifts to the
service of Christ because others were possessed of superior endow-
ments and advantages. The opinion has prevailed that only those who
are especially talented are required to consecrate their abilities to the
service of God. It has come to be understood by many that talents are
given to only a certain favored class to the exclusion of others who of
course are not called upon to share in the toils or the rewards. But it is
not so represented in the parable. When the master of the house called
his servants, he gave to every man his work.
With a loving spirit we may perform life’s humblest duties “as to
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the Lord.”
Colossians 3:23
. If the love of God is in the heart, it will be
manifested in the life. The sweet savor of Christ will surround us, and
our influence will elevate and bless.