p. 157 | Practical Thoughts by D. T. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 29, 1873

Practical Thoughts.

By D. T. Bourdeau

INVESTING MONEY WHERE IT WILL PAY.

This is what shrewd managers in temporal things do; and true believers in the last message of mercy will not be behind the men of this world in putting out their means where it will bring them rich returns. They have found a way to have their money bring more than one thousand fold at the end of a very few years, and that is by investing all they can in the different branches of the glorious cause of present truth. It would seem as though they received more than their pay here, in the approving blessings of God's Spirit, in seeing souls embrace the truth, and in seeing the cause prosper; but their full returns and rich reward will be realized in the settling-day, when those whom they have been the means of saving, by a right use of their talents, shall shine in the crowns of their rejoicing. Oh! what a satisfaction to meet such in the kingdom of glory! Who can express the blessedness that will result from such a meeting? What a thrill of humble joy and gratitude will then fill the souls of those who shall have improved every opportunity of helping push forward the work of God, with their means, as they behold on every hand immortal and glorified saints saved, forever saved, as the results of their sacrifices in connection with the grace of God. Such will not then feel tempted to think that God's servants, who invited them to lay up for themselves treasures in Heaven, were dunning them for selfish purposes. Oh! no; it will then seem that the sight of one of the saved, who will be worth more than ten thousand worlds, will more than pay them for all they have done. But this will be but a small part of their reward.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE TIMES, AND INVESTING LARGELY IN THOSE ARTICLES THAT ARE LOW IN THE MARKET.

This is what sharp speculators do. They keep posted on market prices, and keep their eye on those articles that people must have, and when such articles get very low, they invest largely in them. By-and-by, the property they have purchased comes up, and they make a fortune. Much of this principle should be followed in religion. In the spiritual market, there are also articles which are valued very low, even by the mass of professors. One of these is the suffering, self-denying part of religion for the sake of unpopular truth. This article is looked upon by the masses as being almost, or quite, valueless. But it is sure to come up in the spiritual market, when troubles come upon earth, and when the reward is bestowed. It will work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. This part of religion is so despised, that but few dare to purchase it. This is true of those who are governed by worldly principles, and walk by sight, and not by faith. But thank God that some are taking, as it were, advantage of the times, and they are willing to invest all in the sacrificing part of religion.

VENTURING IN BUSINESS.

While it is sometimes true that he who ventures nothing loses nothing, it is also true that men often come to turns in their worldly affairs, that, unless they venture, they shall gain nothing, and perhaps lose much. Hence men will run great risks, at times, to better themselves pecuniarily; and they will sometimes lose much; but their hope revives, and they will try again.

Why not also run risks for the Lord, and not be so fearful that his cause will prove a failure? Every great undertaking set on foot, thus far, for the furtherance of God's cause, has proved a success. Some enterprises may have received slight jogs; but even these have been like wind blowing on a tree firmly rooted in rich soil, which only serves to increase its growth, strength, and firmness. We should not be discouraged till we have lost as much in the Lord's cause as we have in our temporal matters. Lost, do I say? There can be no entire loss in venturing for God, for God will reward us according to our good motives in giving. Can we be justified before God unless we venture as much for him, in point of means, as we do for ourselves? But how easy it is for us to excuse ourselves for not giving, and to think that when a call is made for means, it is made to others, and not to us.

TIMID AND DESPONDING CHRISTIANS

Are in danger of thinking that their cases are hopeless, while there is often a greater prospect of their being saved, than there would be if they had no deep sense of the sinfulness of sin, and of the narrowness of the way that leads to the kingdom of God. When men and women have principle and moral courage to take hold of unpopular truth, and sacrifice for it; when they open their hearts and their doors to receive God's children, and delight to see them enjoy the service of God, and to see the cause prosper, we think that their case is very hopeful. Yet they are not without their dangers. They must make an effort to look on the bright side, to believe that God does forgive them their sins, and to shut out the temptations of Satan by taking up their cross, and doing every known duty. The best way for timid souls to get confidence and strength, is to exercise. Thousands have learned this from experience, and others can do the same. True, the cross of such may be heavy, at first, and we should bear with them; but they, too, may triumph in God, and help others by a rich experience.

D. T. Bourdeau.