A Mind to Work by M. E. Williams

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 5, 1871

A Mind to Work.

By M. E. Williams

So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; for the people had a mind to work. Neh. 4:6. And thus a great work was accomplished; though their enemies were wroth, and tried in every way to hinder and discourage them. Though laughed to scorn, and threatened with war, they made their prayer to God, and went on with the work.

A mind to work. This is just what we want now. There is a vast amount of work to do; and some are almost sinking under heavy burdens, while others are at ease in Zion. Ought this so to be? And shall it be any longer? Shall we not all earnestly and diligently engage in the work? How can we expect wages or reward unless we do work?

Perhaps there are but few of us who will be able to do great things for God, but let us do cheerfully the little errands he may set us to do. If we have only one talent, we must not fail to use that to the best advantage; and we need not be ashamed of it. God gave us all that he thought best, and holds us just as responsible as to the best and full employment of that one, as he to whom he has given ten. Fearfully great is the responsibility resting upon him who hath ten talents intrusted to him; therefore envy him not.

Are we doing all that we can? How many of us dare answer in the affirmative? The day is swiftly hastening on, when God shall call us to account for how we have used the talents he has given us. Oh! that none of us may be obliged to give up our talents to others because of unfaithfulness. Satan will invent many plausible excuses for us if we will let him, and so keep us from doing anything; but the Master says, Why stand ye all the day idle?

Let us be faithful, ready for every good word and work, lest in the great day, the good we might have done, but did not, be required at our hands.

M. E. WILLIAMS.

Milgrove, N. Y.