WORK IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
“WHEREFORE,” says the prophet, “do ye spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which satisfieth not?” The implication is that the same amount of effort which is now by so many put forth to secure that which is not bread, applied in the right direction would secure for them that which is bread, and that portion which will satisfy. There is enough labor spent in the world to regenerate the world. The people of this world work hard enough to all be saved; but they fail to reach such a result from their labors because they work to the wrong end. What a vast amount of labor is misdirected. Take those who live by dishonesty, the whole horde of thieves, gamblers, sharpers, blacklegs, &c., and mark what an amount of labor, energy and skill, they bring to bear upon their unhallowed calling. The same effort and talent would procure for them a splendid living if applied to any of the honorable callings of life. They work hard enough, and tax all their energies both of body and mind sufficiently, to make an honorable fortune; but instead they only eke out a miserable and dishonest subsistence, because their efforts are applied in the wrong direction. Many a man has manifested perseverance, energy and skill, enough in breaking out of jail, to have kept him from going there if he had aroused himself to the same pitch of exertion in the direction of an honest livelihood. Coming up a step higher, and contrasting worldly and heavenly things as objects of pursuit, we see the same principle still more extensively carried out. What multitudes on every side are engrossed in worldly enterprises. How many bend all their energies of both body and soul to the pursuit of the phantoms of this world, riches, honor, fame and power; and in pursuing these they toil hard enough and expend means enough to acquire something which when gained is more than an empty bubble, and which will not perish in a day. It is to these toiling multitudes, laboring to grasp a shadow, that the prophet exclaims, “Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. . . . Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which satisfieth not.” Turn your labors in another direction, bring the same efforts to bear upon the right object, and you will secure the durable riches. What a volume of encouragement is here for the Christian! Let no one say he cannot overcome. This would be saying that he is not equal to any of his fellow men around him. You have only to do what you see thousands around you doing, work as hard as they work, manifest the zeal they manifest, endure as they endure, only direct your efforts to heavenly instead of worldly objects, and the prize will certainly be yours.