No LAZY CHRISTIANS by T. D. Talmage

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 2, 1873

No LAZY CHRISTIANS.

By T. D. Talmage

There is no better place from which to see Heaven than a carpenter's table, or a mason's wall, or a merchant's counter, if the heart be right. Elisha was plowing in the field when the prophetic mantle fell upon him. Matthew was engaged in his custom-house duties when he was commanded to “follow.” James and John were busily engaged in mending their nets when called upon to become fishers of men. Had they been snoring in the sun, Christ would not have brought their indolence into the apostleship. Gideon was at work with his flail on the threshing floor when he saw the angel. It was when Saul was fatigued hunting up his father's asses, that he got the crown of Israel. The prodigal son would not have been reformed and wanted to go home, had he not gone into business, although it was swine-feeding. Indeed, it is not once in a hundred times that a lazy man ever becomes a Christian. There is but little hope for the man that has nothing to do. It is not when indulging in idleness, but while like the Bethlehem shepherds watching your flocks, that the glory of God will shine about you, and there will be joy in Heaven among the angels of God over your soul penitent and forgiven.—T. D. Talmage.