Paying One's Way | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Nov 21, 1878

Paying One's Way.

PAY your way. Wherever you go, pay it in kindnesses, in courtesies, in pleasant chat, and by contributing of your store to the enjoyment of others. Do not be churlish. Do not hug yourself for some pitiful bit of affectation which you have christened diffidence or modesty. This sort of paying one's way may come in and be balm and soothing to some sturdily independent natures, which in God's providence are placed where they must temporarily depend. Is it worth while, under such circumstances, to grow morbid, despairing and unthankful, making every one wretched because of your grievance? There are times in life when it is quite as clearly your duty to depend as to be independent. When God puts you where you cannot help yourself, take the help he sends and do not fret. It is right to help yourself with both hands as long as you can, and with one hand when you cannot use both; but if God bids both lie folded and still, accept his decision and remember, "They also serve who only stand and wait."