All Can Do Something by Wm. Penniman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 15, 1875

All Can Do Something.

By Wm. Penniman

This language is applicable to all intelligent, accountable beings who are placed in a sphere in which labor is possible. It is a very good thing to pray in our closets and in our families, and to speak and pray in public assemblies; but this is not all we have to do; we must be workers in every sense of the word. We must be doers of the word, and work while the day lasts; then our Lord can say unto each at his coming, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.” We shall not do the will of God unless we are faithful workers. In the message to the Laodiceans, Jesus says, “I know thy works.” There is very much implied in this. Talking is no doubt included in works; but there is something more to be done. “Talk is said to be cheap, but labor costs something. The promise is to be verified to those who trust in the Lord and do good. Those who pretend to trust in the Lord, yet do nothing, resemble a certain class who are always waiting for “something to turn up;” but those who not only trust but do, will turn something up. The latter class will not always wait for circumstances, but will often make the circumstances; and, instead of waiting for the tides and winds to move them along, they will go against them. Many, because they cannot do some great thing, will do nothing. All cannot stand in the sacred desk and proclaim the truth with acceptance; but they can preach by example, by “ordering their conversation aright,” and by working in the tract and missionary cause, distributing the silent messengers, and thus prepare the way for the living teacher.

If there is but one talent, it should be used to the glory of God. It matters not whether it is a talent of mind or influence, or a talent which gives strength to labor in body, or a talent of means, all should be used. All are required to do what they can. If one has not five or ten talents of means, it is his duty to make a sacrifice, or to save something by economy. “Gather my saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Ps. 50:5.

The rich can sacrifice as well as the poor, yet it seems to be harder for them to do it. The rich man who is worth $100,000 would not be making so much sacrifice by giving $50,000 as the poor man worth $1000 would by giving $500. On this principle, we can see how the poor widow who cast in her mite, gave more than the rich who cast into the treasury of their abundance. It is plain that none are exempt in this matter of using talents; but of those who have none, as where nothing is given, nothing is required.

As it is established that all can do something, the question arises, How can they do it? We will mention only one or two ways to which we have alluded. Make a sacrifice by denying appetite—denying self. Bow not down to fine clothes, that is, to indulge in extravagant dress. Be not enslaved by tobacco, tea, or coffee, or any hurtful indulgences. There are many things with which we can profitably dispense. We can do something by economy. There can be no doubt but that “economy is a Christian duty.” Some may inquire, How shall one exercise it? How did our forefathers practice it? Did they not, “light the fires of economy and industry”? Did they not go with little clothing and without shoes, through the cold and snows of winter, when even their foot-prints in the snow were marked with blood, to gain their liberties? If they could do all this to throw off the yoke of an earthly sovereign, should not we, who profess to be looking for the soon-coming of Christ, have far more zeal in rescuing the people from the bondage of Satan?

All should act well their part on the stage of life, and we cannot adopt a much better motto than the following lines of Longfellow:—

“Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor, and to wait.”

Wm. Penniman.