p. 5 | Good, Honest Work by Clarence Santee

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 21, 1912

Good, Honest Work

By Clarence Santee

CLARENCE SANTEE

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Tim. 5:8. From this text it is evident that there can not be an indolent Christian. The Lord has emphasized this fact in many scriptures. He has said that “if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thess. 3:10. “With quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” Verse 12. “Not slothful in business.” He puts this by the side of fervency of spirit, and with both, “serving the Lord.” Rom. 12:11. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Eccl. 9:10.

But does not the Lord say that we are like to take no thought for the morrow? See Matt. 6:34. In the same chapter he gives the reason why we should take no thought; he has taken all the thought, and provided for every necessity. But this does not encourage idleness. We must accept his thought, and then work to accomplish the plan. The father takes thought for the farm, his sons drive the teams, and the barns are filled. “Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matt. 6:32); and knowing this, “my God shall supply all your need.” Phil. 4:19.

Before Adam could take any thought as to how his food should come, or from what source, God thought it all out. This, however, did not release Adam from the responsibility of caring for the seeds, the plants, the vines, and the trees from which his food was to come, after he was formed and became dependent upon them as the means by which God was to provide his food. The Lord took Adam, and “put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Gen. 2:15.

The men and women who are indolent and slothful can not know the joy of the Lord. They may, at times, have a selfish satisfaction in seeing others bear their burdens, but they may rest assured that as viewed by those who bear them, the satisfaction is very questionable. It is that sort of satisfaction that dwells alone. It can not be shared.

To those who enter the city, God will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Matt. 25:21. A “servant”, is one who serves. The “faithful servant” is the one who is diligent, and does his best.

Christ points us to the “fowls of the air.” He provides for them. Matt. 6:26. Yet if the fowls should sit on the branches with folded wings, they would soon starve. He points us to the ant, which faithfully toils from morning till night, carrying out God’s thought. Prov. 6:6-11. He admonishes the indolent one to take it for an example of faithful service, and to leave behind his drowsy indifference to the temporal needs of himself and those dependent on him.

The most beautiful lessons given by our Saviour were drawn from the sower, the plowman, the reaper, and the husbandman; but there is not one good lesson that he could illustrate by the slothful, indolent man.

Good, honest toil decreases the liability to disease, and increases the number of happy, contented days. God says, “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand.” Eccl. 11:6.

When sin entered this world, and poison, malaria, and consequent death, the Lord gave to Adam, not as a curse, but under the circumstances a blessing, labor that would bring “the sweat of thy face.” Gen. 3:19. It was a preventive, a tonic, a good medicine. There are few if any remedies known to-day that will accomplish more than this, probably not nearly so much.

“Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest.” Heb. 4:11. Who can say that this text does not include hard, honest, physical labor?

Loma Linda, Cal.