The Secret of Promotion
By D. H. Kress
THEORETICAL or book knowledge does not of itself fit men and women for positions of influence and responsibility in any branch or department of God’s work. Frequently it unfits them. Character is the only fitness for position in the work of God. Character does not come through study. It is not acquired in a moment, therefore a novice, even though thoroughly converted, is not fitted for a position of trust. Character is acquired by appropriating the grace provided when brought face to face with trying circumstances and experiences which bring to the surface the weaknesses and idols of our hearts. Character is developed in the faithful and cheerful discharge of the ordinary duties of life. Passing through ordinary experiences such as all are called to pass through, and passing through them without murmuring, complaining, fault-finding, or losing faith or patience, or being overcome in any other way, gives men and women a fitness to be placed in positions of responsibility. It was this that gave Joshua a fitness for his work as leader. He had passed victoriously through all the experiences and trials that he was called upon to lead others through. He could therefore sympathize with and succor those over whom he was placed when they were tempted and tried as he had been. This is the lesson Christ in his life of humiliation and temptation on earth desired to teach, that in order to be a merciful and faithful high priest, “in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, . . . for in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” “Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not.” This is not the path that leads to promotion. Seek to do well whatever your hand finds to do, and do all to the glory of God. Perform the lowliest duty with cheerfulness and faithfulness and contentment, and do not ask, “What shall we have therefore?” This is the path which leads to promotion. Such a spirit God will honor, and men will recognize. Joseph served God as faithfully in prison (when “the word of the Lord tried him”) as he did on the throne. The prison experience was a necessary fitness for the throne. Joseph could not be kept in prison any longer than God wanted him there. Men could keep him there only sufficiently long for him to obtain his fitness for the throne. Then Joseph had to rise. “Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Ps. 75: 6, 7. There often are those who are desirous to do a work for which their past experience has not fitted them. While under training at the school, the sanitarium, or the publishing house, they perhaps complained at every providence they could not understand, and every change that was made in their work. In what they did do, they lacked faithfulness, and now, perhaps, that the time has come when they should be able to bear responsibilities, they recognize it, and complain because they are not promoted. They think they are not given a chance, and that those who have been watching for their souls as they that must give account, have a grudge against them. “Why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” “God is the judge;” he it is that “putteth down one, and setteth up another.” It is not a matter of chance or of luck; it is not something that men manipulate. We must be willing to be servants, and do service in the lowliest place and station, saying, “Anything or anywhere, dear Saviour, to work with thee,” before we are fitted to be placed over others. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, . . . made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant. . . . Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” Phil. 2: 5-9. That name indicates the character he developed here upon earth as the Son of man, which gave him his fitness for his exalted position as the sinless representative of the human race before the throne of God. Unto the Son, God said, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever. . . . Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Ps. 45: 6, 7. In the life of Christ we have revealed the true secret of promotion and honor. Those who are honored and exalted are those who love righteousness and hate iniquity, and who are willing to serve in any place. They do not seek position, but seek to honor God. He who is faithful in that which is least, gives evidence that he would be faithful in that which is much. To such it will be said, “Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.”