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There Is a Purpose in It

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 26, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 34.

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There Is a Purpose in It

By E. K. Slade

E. K. SLADE
The great responsibilities entailed and the sacrifices required by heeding the commission, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” are not burdens that the Lord places upon his people simply to vex and weary them or to make their lot difficult or unpleasant. The unwarned millions of India, China, Japan, Africa, South America, and the islands of the sea are spread before us in the command, “Go ye into all the world,” calling for the sacrifice of our means, our sons and daughters, and the comforts of home, not because the Lord is dependent upon humanity, but he has a great and definite purpose in thus carrying on his work in the earth.
The following words clearly indicate the abundance of God’s resources, and that he is in no measure dependent upon humanity: “God is not dependent upon man for the support of his cause. He could have sent means direct from heaven to supply his treasury, if his providence had seen that this was best for man. He might have devised means whereby angels could have been sent to publish the truth to the world without the agency of man. He might have written the truth upon the heavens, and let them declare to the world his requirements in living characters. God is not dependent upon man’s gold or silver.”
It is that humanity may come to possess heavenly traits of character that these seemingly heavy burdens are imposed. It is man that is needy, and not the Lord. Man is permitted to do the work that the angels desired to do, that by the practise of benevolence he might possess the same character that led the angels to wish to do this work. The needs of a great world are ever to be kept before us, and a faithful response to these appeals for help will work out God’s great purpose in those who thus co-operate with him in the work. “By their necessities, a ruined world are drawing from us talents of means and of influence, to present to them the truth, of which they are in perishing need. And as we heed these calls by labor and by acts of benevolence, we are assimilated to the image of Him who for our sakes became poor. In bestowing, we bless others, and thus accumulate true riches.”
It is sometimes said, by those who seem to have lost sight of God’s purpose, “It is money, money all the time; we can never have a meeting without something being said about the heathen and donations for missions. When will there be an end to these calls for money?”
It is well for us always to have in mind that the Author and Finisher of our salvation is a God of infinite love, and that he makes no requirements and imposes no burdens that are not for our eternal good. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Holly, Mich.