Work for God by Earnest Christian

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

Work for God.

By Earnest Christian

The highest favor that can be conferred upon a mortal, is to be permitted to work for God. The dignity of the calling does not depend upon the work done, but upon the exalted character of him for whom it is performed. The Queen of Sheba regarded the servants of Solomon as objects of envy. His fame was great throughout the world, and his servants shared in his renown.

If those who serve an earthly monarch derive luster from his power, much more are those exalted who do the bidding of the King of kings. They are the favored ones of earth. They are akin to angels. These do the will of God in Heaven; the saints do it in the more difficult place—on earth. Their reward is great. It will be bestowed, not according to the nature of the work, but according to the fidelity with which it is done.

God will give employment to every one who will consent to do his will. But we cannot choose our work. God does that. We are very apt to overestimate our own ability. A railroad could never be run if every man was allowed to choose his own position. The brakemen would all want to be conductors—the conductors, directors—the firemen, engineers, and the engineers, superintendents. There is always confusion in the cause of God when the disciples insist upon choosing their places. Diotrephes is never satisfied unless he can have the pre-eminence. His motto is, “Rule or ruin;” and where he rules he is almost sure to ruin. The foot is a very useful member of the body; but place it where the eye should be, and it becomes a deformity and a nuisance. He who is sulky and fault-finding unless he can be a class-leader, is not fit for a class-leader. He who backslides because a license is not given him, stands more in need of saving grace than of a license.

If we really desire to serve God, we shall take our work as his providence opens it before us. We shall not grumble at his allotments. We shall not keep everything in confusion by insisting upon our having our own preferences gratified. Some persons, who really appear to want to be good, can never be, for any length of time, contented anywhere. Things do not go as they wish. The wills of others come in conflict with their own. Unexpected difficulties arise. Faith and perseverance might overcome them; but they take it for granted that they are out of order, and they seek a change.

Let God give you your work. If it is taking care of children, nurse them for him and he will give you wages. If it is serving others, do it, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but do it heartily as unto the Lord. Whatever your work is, do it well; and do it for God. This is the main point. The nature of the work is a matter of inferior importance. It is the disposition that God looks at, far more than the service done. You can hire strangers to fill a genteel situation; but if a lingering disease preys upon you, it is love alone that can perform with cheerfulness the unpleasant service that your circumstances require. We manifest most affection for Jesus when we perform for him the most menial, least honorable, service in our power.

—Earnest Christian.