12:261 Corinthians 12:26

The verse teaches that the church is one body in which the suffering of one member is the suffering of all and the honoring of one is the joy of all.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+2 As hands, feet, eyes, ears and limbs are closely joined and cannot live and act apart, so injury to even the smallest part harms the whole and is felt throughout the body.Ms 44, 1900, par. 34–35+4 Christ is the living Head from whom the body draws its life, strength and working power, and He Himself feels the griefs of His members when they are wronged or oppressed.11MR 276.1+4 God gives different gifts, offices and lines of work to different members, so none is unnecessary and none can say to another that he has no need of him, and deficiency in one is supplied by the ability of another.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+4 Therefore no member or branch of the work can separate to act on an independent line and still succeed, but all must move together without division, rivalry or contempt, showing tender sympathy, practical help and forbearance that restores the weak instead of cutting them off.Ms 141, 1902, par. 18–19+4

The verse declares the fact of one body, that when one member suffers all the members suffer with it, and when one member is honored all rejoice with it.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+4 Difference of gifts and parts does not divide that oneness nor make any member unnecessary, and the shared suffering and shared joy stand against self-sufficiency, rivalry, judgment, separation into factions, and failure to show the power of truth.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+4 The members are closely joined as parts of one body and are to be united and work together as parts of the whole, caring for one another in unity without division.Ms 59, 1902, par. 39+4

The natural body illustrates the church, with hands, head, feet, eyes, ears and limbs from head to feet so closely united and mutually dependent that one member cannot live and act independently of the others but all share suffering and life together.Ms 44, 1900, par. 34–35+4 As the different parts have different offices yet belong to one body, so believers have different works and gifts, each part indispensable, and the church must work in harmony under Christ's guidance rather than through human wisdom that produces discord and failure.Ms 44, 1900, par. 34–35+4 Variety remains without uniformity, for every member depends on every other to make a perfect whole in harmonious action under the laws controlling the being, while keeping identity, strength, and experience.Ms 44, 1900, par. 34–35+4

What affects one part affects the whole, so that no one is independent and each person's well-being, life, faith, courage, and assigned work affect and should strengthen all.7T 296.1+4 Injury or weakening of even a small part harms its usefulness and lessens the usefulness of the body, and a hurt to the end of a finger below the nail is felt beyond that finger in head and stomach.7T 296.1+4 To a great extent the oppression or degradation of one member means loss to all, in the wonderful relations and dependencies of the great brotherhood of society and nations, and even the weakest believer belongs to the body and through humble dependence on God can grow strong and share the privileges of a child of God sustained by the whole church.7T 296.1+4

As Christ's body the church is closely joined without division, and members must care for one another rather than act with self-sufficiency, rivalry, judgment, or indifference.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+4 The different gifts belong in their proper places, with people of varied talents and social positions needed to form a complete whole, and no part or contribution whether high or lowly is to be undervalued or excluded.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+4 No one person has enough wisdom or ability to do the work alone, so members are to work together in harmony with humility and willingness to learn even when they differ in judgment or plans, made one by sanctifying truth through baptism into one body and union by sanctification of the Holy Spirit, sharing suffering together and rejoicing together when one receives a rich blessing, for the church cannot remain healthy when they withhold sympathy from one another.AA 317.2+4

The twelfth and thirteenth chapters of First Corinthians define the relation members should sustain to one another in suffering together and rejoicing together, and they should be committed to memory, written in mind and heart, studied, digested, applied, and not ignored.Ms 82, 1898, par. 31–33+1 Those brought together in church capacity will through them be united understandingly and intelligently, walking humbly with God in the path of obedience.Ms 82, 1898, par. 31–33+1 Study and application begin with continual humbling of individual self, taking self critically in hand and self-examination, whose first step is denying self and taking up his own cross of self-denial, self-humiliation, and self-sacrifice rather than laying his cross on somebody else to carry.Ms 82, 1898, par. 31–33+1

Christ is the living Head and center of the body, and the church with its ministry draws from Him its life, strength, light and working power.11MR 276.1+4 The various gifts are to be actively exercised together in one body whose head is Jesus Christ, with no member self-sufficient and no member able to say to another, I have no need of thee, because two members do not act the same part.11MR 276.1+1 Among the members there is to be no crowding, no judging, and no measuring of one gift by another, for many gifts are called for yet all are members of one body, like the different members of the human body from head to feet with different offices yet all of one body centered in Christ the Head.11MR 276.1+2 Diversity of operation of all gifts is by the same Spirit in the economy of God to meet varied organization and minds in the world, so each one is to act out and develop the powers and identity God has given him without being over-managed and confused by others, and the strength of one servant of God is not the strength of another, gaining access to a class that others could not touch.11MR 277.2–4+1 The varied gifts and talents form one complete body under one acknowledged head, Jesus Christ, who redeemed them by His own blood, so gospel work and medical missionary work must go forward hand in hand and not be separated, with preaching, reading of the Scriptures, prayer, singing, ministerial labor and physicians' labor united to make a complete whole, lest separation leave arms without a head to devise wise plans and movements.Ms 165, 1899, par. 58–60+1 Members brought together in church, many or few, constitute the members of Christ's body, each with a distinctive place and part to act like hand, head, ear, eye or limbs, and the religion of the Bible does not exalt one virtue at the expense of another but Christlikeness blends every quality in harmonious proportion into a symmetrical whole, so members do not antagonize one another but are one as Christ is one with the Father, and being joined as one body when one suffers all suffer with that one.Ms 165, 1899, par. 58–60+1 Each believer is only one member of the body and can never be an independent whole, to be controlled by the Holy Spirit with Christ as the one head and Master and no man as master, and unity is preserved only as each performs its several offices, whether preaching the Word, teaching, practicing as a physician, cultivating the soil, following a trade, acting in councils, or going to foreign lands, looking to the Lord as companion, counselor, guide, helper and friend, giving all tact and strength of mind and heart to the work, keeping clean and unspotted from the world, working intelligently together not to attract men to themselves or exalt themselves but to win souls to Christ, ascribing all glory to Him alone under a heavenly Leader and not under human guidance.Ms 165, 1899, par. 58–60+1

Members of the church are bound together in firm, harmonious unity like the different parts of the natural body, with hands, head and feet so closely united and mutually dependent that one member cannot live and act independently of the others but all share suffering and life together.Ms 44, 1900, par. 34–35+1 This unity lives because the life and Spirit of Christ sustains and causes every particular member of His body to flourish, and they live because Christ lives in them, so members must abide in Christ as the branch must abide in the vine in order to live and bear fruit.Ms 44, 1900, par. 34–35+1 They are made one by sanctifying truth through baptism into one body and union by sanctification of the Holy Spirit, so in carrying forward the work no member is indifferent but all share suffering together and all rejoice together when one receives a rich blessing, because Christ identifies Himself with the members and gives strength and light and life by His Spirit, and this blessed union of those sanctified body, soul and spirit keeps the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, magnifies truth and convicts the world.Ms 79, 1908, par. 20–22+1 Christians are members one of another, branches of the living vine and of one root, brothers and sisters of one family whose hearts are bound to heart, and true friendship can be kept true and untainted, without partiality and without hypocrisy, only by those united by the truth in Jesus Christ.Lt 28, 1896, par. 9–11+1 Pure love is not impulse or spasmodic feeling but a divine principle and permanent power drawn fresh from the love flowing from the heart of God, quickened and sustained and taught by the Holy Spirit, so those who love God supremely love one another truly, sincerely and unaffectedly, respecting and loving one another with pure hearts fervently.Lt 28, 1896, par. 9–11 Membership brings mutual responsibility and natural obligation, with mutual confidence powerful for good or for evil, and talents sanctified to benefit one another or perverted to hurt and injure, so that influence is always unconsciously tending to good or to evil.Lt 28, 1896, par. 9–11 A member is not truly living and active merely because it is connected to the body in name, for drawing life from Christ produces lasting spiritual growth and fruitful activity, and without that life a member is spiritually paralyzed.1MR 370.4–371.3

Christ Himself feels what the members of His body suffer, for God is never an indifferent spectator of the doings of men.Lt 112, 1900, par. 10–12 He puts Himself in the place of His injured children, and His soul throbs with sympathetic pain as they suffer, for He is the great sympathetic nerve of the church so that all the sufferings of the members are felt by Him, and when the children of His adoption are grieved by injustice or oppression Christ feels the injury, and remembering this would bring much more happiness in the world.Lt 112, 1900, par. 10–12

To believe on Christ is to put on Christ and be united to Him as a limb is united to the body and as a branch is united to the vine.Ms 143, 1898, par. 19+1 Christ clothed His divinity with humanity that His humanity might touch and uplift humanity, while with His divine arm He grasped the throne of the Infinite, thus linking finite man with the infinite God, and those so united to Him have everlasting life.Ms 143, 1898, par. 19 The relation between Christ and His church is very close and sacred, He the bridegroom and the church the bride, He the head and the church the body, so connection with Christ therefore involves connection with His church.ED 268.4–6+1 The church is organized for service, and connection with the church is one of the first steps in a life of service to Christ, with loyalty to Christ demanding the faithful performance of church duties as an important part of training, and in a church imbued with the Master's life this leads directly to effort for the world without.ED 268.4–6 People of varying types of character are brought into one church body through profession of faith with Christ as the Head, and true membership means belonging to Jesus the invisible Head in spiritual connection and absolute allegiance shown by bearing fruit, while those whose names are only on the church record without that connection are like fruitless branches of the vine taken away, and faith and love as the gold of character in true branches always work on the Lord's side to unite and harmonize the members of Christ's body.ED 268.4–6+1

God assigns different gifts, offices, talents and lines of work to different members for the good of the whole body and to reach varied minds and organizations, so no member is self-sufficient, complete by itself, or unnecessary, and none can say to another, I have no need of thee.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+4 The differences do not divide the body but require active exercise together under Jesus Christ as Head, with each doing the work others cannot and contributing to mutual help and harmony.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+2 Even work represented by a hand or a foot is important, and a person need not lead or be central to serve effectively, since the worth of the work depends not on its size but on the love and motive behind it.5T 279.2 No member should consider another inferior or unnecessary, despise another's gifts, or envy another's achievements, but each should be respected for contributing to the whole.4T 127.4–128.1

Variety remains without uniformity, for members are like the different members of the human body from eyes and head to feet, each with a different office yet all of one body centered in Christ the Head and dependent on every other to make a perfect whole in harmonious action.11MR 277.2–4+2 Each is to act out and develop the powers, identity, strength, experience and liberty of expression God has given, without being over-managed and confused by others, since the strength of one servant is not the strength of another.11MR 277.2–4+1 Different minds present truth in different figures, expressions and ways yet remain united without contradiction, drawing spiritual supplies from the same storehouse, worked by the same Spirit and fed from the same source.8MR 66.2–69.3+1 As different styles of building suit different locations, as the many stones in the high priest's breastplate each add special light and significance to the beauty of the one breastplate, and as sunlight gives a different hue to different objects, so many minds form one Mind, with truth given by inspiration expressed according to the development of the mind without cramping the mind into a set mold.Lt 53, 1900, par. 9–12 It is seldom that two persons view and express truth in exactly the same way, for each dwells on particular points which constitution and education have fitted him to appreciate, and those who view or express truths differently may be just as precious, so this difference should not perplex or confuse.8MR 66.2–69.3+1 All must blend capabilities with those chosen, exert individual ability for every conference with equal interest, allow no selfishness or self-exaltation to rule, invent no separate plan for raising means or supporting schools and ministry, launch out against no other man, and stand together in opposition and conflict to sustain truth and reach perfection of the character of Jesus Christ in holiness.Ms 158, 1907, par. 1–4+1

Deficiency in one is supplied by the experience and ability of another, for no one is qualified to bear the burden of the work alone, so God has joined together men of different minds, experience and abilities that they will counsel with and assist one another.5MR 368.2–3+3 This calls for cooperation among workers, each doing the work suited to them and helping supply another's needs, with differences in gifts or lines of work no reason to remain separate.RCOC 74.2+1 Brethren share what God has taught them, listen to one another, and give or receive kind counsel, with contact of mind with mind quickening thought and increasing capabilities.5MR 368.2–3+1 Such uniting requires studying what Corinthians and Ephesians teach about members' relation to one another, uniting human weakness to Christ's strength, dying to self and living to Christ, and having strong unchristlike traits of character softened, subdued and purified in order to be one with Christ in God.5MR 368.2–3+1

Recognizing this divine order and arrangement, in which one gift is given to one person and another gift to another under the same Spirit, guards against crowding, judging, measuring one gift by another, division and contention over who shall be greatest, rivalry, pride, envy, contempt and despising another's gifts, while strengthening unity and mutual love.Ms 128, 1901, par. 8–9+4 Just as there is no reason for strife among the members of the human body over which is greatest, so all Christians have one common interest and are to cooperate with Christ in restoring in man the moral image of God.Lt 57, 1902, par. 7–10 Every Christian is to work out his own salvation and the salvation of his family and associates, faithfully using talents and discharging duty under the Holy Spirit, and those who disregard this God-given responsibility will find no place in the redeemed family in the kingdom of God.Lt 57, 1902, par. 7–10

No one must seek to make other minds bend to his own ideas or mold their judgment and character to himself, lest their will, identity and independent natural traits be destroyed and they be spoiled for the special work God would have them accomplish to gain access to a class that others could not touch.Lt 49, 1875, par. 2–4+1 Every person must be left free for God to convict and operate upon the heart and to call forth powers and develop an individual strength and experience founded in God, preserving individuality and personal responsibility while working under the divine leadership of Jesus.Lt 49, 1875, par. 2–4+1 Those with more experience should teach and support those with less with love, patience and help rather than sharp words, unkind criticism or dictation of how every other person must work.RCOC 75.1 Keeping the precious freedom of the liberty of the children of God to act out grace bestowed requires leaders who daily subordinate their will to the will of Christ and practice meekness and lowliness of mind instead of glorifying self, exercising arbitrary man-ruling power, and dictating and controlling the consciences of others.9MR 175.1–2+1

In the perils of the last days every mental and physical power must be cultivated because all the powers are essential to make the church a building that represents the wisdom and character of God.2MR 341.2 The talents and powers of mind are God's gifts and must be used in their right relation to each other so as to make a perfect whole, with God giving the talents and each person making the character by earnestly cultivating the mind as the Lord's garden in order to form a character after the divine likeness.2MR 341.2

No member can disconnect from the agencies God has appointed and work on an independent line in supposed wisdom and still succeed, for even flattering oneself that one is doing God's work apart from the body ends in failure, ensnarement and ruin, and the feeling that independence is possible is a delusion of the enemy.RCOC 70.2+2 Every member must stay united to the body and work in his own appointed place and capacity, likeminded with God, pure, holy and sincere, with no one shut up to himself living for himself.RCOC 70.2+2 Disciples are living members of one body mutually joined together in Christ the living Head and mutually dependent on each other, so shared suffering and shared honor with enlightenment and rejoicing belong to all.Lt 307, 1903, par. 4–6 No institution or worker can declare itself undenominational and separate from God's chosen and precious people, for crookedness of character and refusal to join in heart and spirit with them cuts off acceptance with God.Lt 307, 1903, par. 4–6 Every part of the work must work as connected with another part, joined together by golden links, with no part independent and no kings in the midst with right to forbid workers to go where they can work or to withhold support from them, each using God-given power in its appointed work in cooperation with the others in united purpose.Ms 43c, 1901, par. 10–11+2

God's cause is one body in which every branch of work and every part of the vineyard belongs together, suffers and rejoices together, and must move together in unity under God's supervision with no walls of partition.CH 557.2+3 The different forms of work cannot function properly in isolation, but must remain connected rather than act independently, with every part joined harmoniously to every other part as the Lord's working agencies to carry out His plan for advancement.CH 557.2+1 Separating medical missionary work from the ministry of the word makes the work unbalanced, belittles or ignores the ministry, brings confusion, and leaves portions of the Lord's vineyard unworked.8T 160.1–161.1+2 The ministry of the Word holds first place among human agencies and gives direction under the Head, while all members are to be sustained and no interest is to be spoken against or discouraged, for to ignore the ministry is to ignore God and to treat the right hand disrespectfully breaks mutual care.8T 160.1–161.1+2

Medical missionary work is the arm, hand and right hand joined to the body, not the whole body, and the gospel ministry is the body that must sustain, direct and guide it, with neither work complete without the other.8T 160.1–161.1+3 It is only one part of God's work, not to be made all and in all nor the principal and all-important line above giving the warning message and instructing the churches, but to be combined with teaching God's people how to help the needy, the degraded, the fallen and the outcast.8T 160.1–161.1+1 It is bound up with the gospel ministry and joined closely to it because it is the gospel in illustration, connected with the gospel as arm is connected to body, with Jesus Christ as Head and with church and ministry cooperating as one unit to reveal God's salvation.Ms 132, 1906, par. 41+2 No part can stand apart as a complete whole, for the head and body guide the arm.8T 160.1–161.1+1

Making medical missionary work all and in all reverses God's order by tearing the arms from the body and leaving flying hands and arms spending means without the direction of the head.Ms 178, 1899, par. 10–14+2 That separation makes the work unbalanced and disproportionate, unsettles minds, brings confusion, leaves many fields unworked, and turns medical missionary work into disorganized atoms that consume but do not produce and sap life and force from the ministry instead of opening the way for truth.6T 288.2+1 The arm is a power while connected to the body, but the body must work the arm and not the arm the body, so the ministry must keep proportion, sustain and direct the medical work, and the medical work must not absorb all means needed to carry the last message to the world nor rule and run the body until the ministry has no standing room.Ms 178, 1899, par. 10–14+2 Making one line all-important while neglecting other essential lines turns the body's order upside down and lets what God designed to be only hand and arm try to take the place of the whole body.8T 160.1–161.1+2

Treating medical missionary work as the body itself reverses God's order, springs from ambition and selfishness, becomes a great barrier to the true and regular work, draws means away from proper use, dishonors the Lord, and from about 1893 onward is an increasing peril carried on by Sanitarium physicians under Dr. J. H. Kellogg, with the appointed gospel work to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God as the body and medical missionary work as hands and arms united to it as benevolent work in connection with the gospel ministry.Ms 179, 1903, par. 2–3

The publishing work, the sanitarium work, the schools and the General Conference work are members of one body with the same governing principles, with none vastly more important than the others, none to be a kingdom of itself, and the kingly power formerly exercised at Battle Creek not to be perpetuated.8T 233.1+1 The offices of publication by which truth is given to the world, the sanitariums for restoration of the sick to health and relief of suffering as the work for this time, and the schools where children and youth are trained for God are all sacred to His service and parts of His great plan in which He is especially interested, with God to be brought into every pursuit of life.RH Jul 1, 1902 Medical work is to be sacredly cherished and carefully conducted as the right hand of the body to open doors for entrance of truth, and all branches are to be carried forward together without division and without territorial lines or walls of partition between different lines.8T 233.1+1

Unity in funds and labor belongs to the one body, with no division in funds and labor and with all tithes including those of workers in medical lines going to one treasury rather than separating medical tithes to the Medical Association, and the conference then liberally sending ministers to work in connection with the medical work.Ms 103a, 1899, par. 33 The medical missionary work as arm and hand is to work in with tent labor and church planting to create confidence and interest, while established churches pay tithe into the conference to raise funds to send ministers to other places, so each part supports and strengthens the other and no part is dropped or made everything, but all move solidly hand in hand.Ms 103a, 1899, par. 23–25 When one part suffers want and difficulty all suffer with it, and sharing blessing with one part blesses all, so those entrusted with abundance of the Lord's means must not grasp all they can for their own portion and manage it by their own wisdom while neglecting places of greatest need, but must distribute wisely in consideration of all doing His service, willingly imparting means and foresight and judgment to fellow workers sent into new and destitute fields to give them a chance and help them out of difficulty, that the work may be a praise in all parts of the earth.Lt 98, 1900, par. 39–41 Grasping every advantage selfishly and refusing to help is unwise, unfair stewardship without the mind of Christ, involving many others in difficulties, wasting time and strength against needless disadvantages, robbing the Lord of glory due Him in establishing churches in new territories, depriving fellow workers of means God designed for them, and greatly displeasing God who proves every man to see whether he will deal wisely with the Master's goods.Lt 98, 1900, par. 39–41

The church is a living body of which the Institute is an arm and branch, so the spiritual condition of the whole church decides the condition of the institution.2T 138.3 A healthy church sends a vitalizing, healthful current to its arm, diffusing light and control that keeps error out of that branch of the work.2T 138.3 A sickly church that does not enjoy the favor of God nor the light of His countenance circulates a sickly, deathly influence through the whole living body until disease is apparent everywhere, and the moral darkness of the church creates moral darkness and spiritual death in the Institute.2T 138.3

Church order provides leaders who stand as advisers, counselors, burden-bearers and helpers in carrying the burdens of the work, and as leaders in offering thanksgiving to God, not as rulers appointed to order and command fellow laborers, for the Lord Himself is over His heritage and will lead His people.Lt 178, 1909, par. 14–16 Position gives no kingly authority but requires learning the meekness of Christ and becoming Christlike, treating fellow laborers with the same consideration one would wish to receive, since all are brethren.Lt 178, 1909, par. 14–16+1 The church established on earth is composed of many members but of one body, with every part of the work connected to another part and joined by golden links, so no part is independent and there are to be no kings in its midst with right to forbid workers to go where they can work or to withhold support from them.Ms 43c, 1901, par. 10–11 Believers are parts of one great whole, joined in service to God and dependent on one another, and their precious privileges as saints are understood when each member is given the precious freedom of the liberty of the children of God to act out grace bestowed, which requires leaders who daily subordinate their will to Christ and practice meekness and lowliness of mind instead of glorifying self and dictating and controlling consciences.STB 469.3+1

No one man has all wisdom and wisdom will not die with him, and no one man can bear the sacred responsibilities of sacred office alone.9MR 151.4–152.1+1 The idea that one man's mind and judgment can mold and direct important interests and be regarded as a voice for the people is a great evil that endangers him and those who cooperate with him.9MR 151.4–152.1 Those placed in trust must modestly regard the opinions of others as worthy of respect and as likely to be as correct as their own, remembering God has made other men just as valuable and is willing to teach and guide them.9MR 151.4–152.1+1 To every man talents are given according to his several ability, and one mind may have a larger scope than another, so those in responsibility must have helpers connected with them whose minds do not run in exactly the same lines as their own, with each linked worker supplying the other's deficiency so that together they are a complete whole doing God's work in perfect harmony.9MR 151.4–152.1+1 Each worker is part of a greater whole in shared life where what affects one affects the others and one member's honor is cause for the others to rejoice, so workers should value one another's service and seek and accept counsel rather than act as though they can carry the work alone.IRCUP 30.2–3

Each member has its own office, place, station and post of duty in the body under one Head and under the supervision of God, whether in preaching, teaching, practicing as physician, cultivating soil, trade, councils or foreign lands, and is to stand in the appointed station speaking the truth in love, respected, encouraged and sustained.Ms 158, 1898, par. 22+1 The church is like the human body formed by union of all its members working under the head as a well-regulated machine and like well-adjusted machinery, each part dependent on the other yet distinct in action, with hearts blending and all moving together in concert with undivided effort under divine power to draw those around them to Christ.Ms 158, 1898, par. 22+1 All must act in concert with sanctified intelligence and harmonious energy, with no fitful, spasmodic movements and no envy, evil-thinking, evil-speaking, evil-acting, counter-influence or variance, for union is strength and variance is weakness and sin.Ms 158, 1898, par. 22+2 As the usefulness of the body is increased by harmonious energy and action of every member and by sympathy of every part with the whole, the church is strengthened by well-regulated action of every part and exercise of every gift, each individual working for benefit of the whole and rendering due respect and recognition to fellow workers as owed to God who has given to every man his work.Ms 158, 1898, par. 22+2 Diversity of gifts must be expressed in unity to make a complete whole, with pledged union in action, perfect harmony, unity and love with the glory of God in view, each having liberty of expression and different spiritual working and experience yet blending capabilities with those chosen, exerting individual ability for every conference with equal interest, allowing no selfishness to rule, inventing no separate plan for raising means or supporting schools and ministry, launching out against no other man, and standing together in opposition and conflict to sustain truth, hold victory, and reach perfection of the character of Jesus Christ in holiness.Ms 158, 1907, par. 1–4

Every soul who takes position as a member of Christ's body pledges himself to act faithfully his part as a steward of God, and no one can remain inactive.Ms 83, 1899, par. 7+1 To every man God has appointed his work, and talents are given to all to use and improve in proportion to capabilities of the receiver, to some five, to others two, and to others one.Ms 81, 1899, par. 10 Each member is to work for the Master with the same prudence and wisdom he would use if he himself were to be enriched by all that is gained, understanding and appropriating the treasure of God's Word and employing it in every circumstance of life to the glory of God.Ms 81, 1899, par. 10 The work does not rest on the minister alone but every person has a divinely appointed share in laboring for salvation of souls, each to be educated to act a part in conversion of souls, having enlisted in the Lord's army not for ease or amusement but to endure hardships as a faithful, vigilant, courageous and true soldier of the cross.Ms 24, 1889, par. 55–56 When members are left idle or their talents unused the church loses what they could contribute and may become fruitless, for the church advances its work through the united efforts of its members each having a part according to ability.7T 30.1+1

If one errs or disagreement arises it must be settled at once between those concerned by praying and talking together, putting away recrimination, self-will and selfishness until heart is cemented to heart.Lt 183, 1901, par. 16–18 Each worker should consider prayerfully how a proposed action will affect the cause of God and the whole, doing the part God appointed at his own post with all acting in concert in sacred duties to strengthen and establish the church.Lt 183, 1901, par. 16–18+1 All in church capacity share the work of beseeching men and women to be reconciled to God, and this united harmonious action exhibits God's miracle-working power as a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.Lt 183, 1901, par. 16–18

Christians as members of one body are to show one another the same unceasing tenderness the Lord shows His people, with sympathy, prayer, tears, pity, forbearance, courtesy and respect joining hearts together.Ms 141, 1902, par. 18–19+3 When they come together for counsel they are to speak good words that help and strengthen their brethren, not stand afar off in self-confidence watching to criticize and condemn, but jealously guard one another's interests even when mistakes are made.Ms 141, 1902, par. 18–19+1 Each benefits from the graces and abilities of the others, the weak being strengthened by those of greater hope or experience, while every member even the least has a vital place, and no one person is to control the whole without careful prayerful consideration of all.Lt 26, 1900, par. 19–22+1 Those truly united to Christ take a kindly interest in fellow workers and rejoice in helping them, comforting the sick and sorrowing and encouraging fellow workers, and this care produces righteousness and benefits the church through sanctifying grace.ST Nov 13, 1901+1

Care is practical and takes responsibility for the welfare of the human brotherhood and the brotherhood in Christ, including worn-out workers and ministers who have become ill or feeble after laboring for God.7T 291.3–292.1+1 When workers are down under test and trial they are to be lifted up, not confused, perplexed, discouraged, left hopeless, misinterpreted, or have their mistakes exaggerated, and no one is given the work of watching to talk of others' faults.Ms 167, 1902, par. 27–28 Instead there is to be clear eyesight and unselfish hearts that see the good accomplished, commend it and praise God for it, bringing into the church the pity and self-sacrifice of Christ its great Head so that through the baptism of the Holy Spirit the church on earth becomes a court of holy love.Ms 167, 1902, par. 27–28 When a minister labors in weariness under discouraging circumstances all the other members are to suffer with him by giving encouragement, sympathy and consideration, sustaining him and stimulating him to earnest persevering exertion rather than envying him or leaving him without help.19MR 7.3–9.1

A weak or damaged limb of the one suffering body must not be cut off in haste, for to amputate a limb that could be saved by patient care is a fearful mistake.Lt 162, 1902, par. 1–2 The first work is to use every available means to restore the suffering limb, giving the very best care and treatment in the best place.Lt 162, 1902, par. 1–2 In this way no limb is sacrificed and none is left to go through life crippled with usefulness damaged for life.Lt 162, 1902, par. 1–2

Believers are joined as one family so that when one member is wounded the others share the harm, and to wound a brother is to wound Christ.Ms 13, 1886, par. 6 Love must be carefully cultivated and those who hurt others should acknowledge the harm and seek forgiveness rather than excuse it as their way, looking out for one another's interests.Ms 13, 1886, par. 6 When believers oppress, censure, abuse and sever souls from the church through self-exaltation, envy, harsh authority and reckless disregard, the whole body suffers and bleeds from those cruel wounds.Ms 1, 1878, par. 56–59 Right influence requires communion with God, humility, self-denial, sympathy, forbearance, mercy and love laboring for the salvation of others, for beside the worth of one soul the whole world sinks into insignificance.Ms 1, 1878, par. 56–59

Shared life makes it impossible to live to oneself, for all are connected as different parts of one great whole under mutual obligations, with something to receive and something to give, and no one can be independent of fellows.MH 495.3+2 Ignoring or abusing these bonds does not remove them or lessen personal accountability, but damages character and becomes a snare to others, while love directed to its proper object is allowed to flow without danger.Lt 16, 1885, par. 7+1 Human life is bound together in wonderful relations and dependencies in the great brotherhood of society and nations, where what affects one affects the others and to a great extent the oppression or degradation of one member means loss to all.ED 238.4–5+2 In this mutual dependence people of different kinds depend on one another and each person's weakness can contribute to the strength of all, which calls for kindness and sympathy toward everyone.MH 495.3

The close union of Luther and Melanchthon illustrates how members share one another's suffering and joy, for their combined work strengthened the Reformation and encouraged Luther.GC88 134.2 Sorrow felt for brethren and office employees afflicted by the destruction of the Review Office shows the same law, that when one member suffers the others share that suffering.8T 97.2

Harmony among varied dispositions, churches and conferences requires that no worker as a complete whole attempt the work alone, but that different gifts join efforts and work together in love.STMW7 48.3+1 The entire church as one body must act as one and blend in perfect union, every member entering service and standing in lot and place as a burden-bearer, and every addition becoming one more agency for carrying on the great plan of redemption.RH Apr 29, 1909 Truth not lived and not imparted loses life-giving power and healing virtue, so when believers are united and moved and controlled by the Holy Spirit they become a living active missionary agency giving light to those in darkness.RH Apr 29, 1909 When gifts are revived and active they encourage the faint and correct and reprove those who err, while varied gifts and agencies build the work strong and proportional and complete, each supplying the deficiency of a fellow worker, including those of careful thought who check exaggerated action without falling into slowness that loses precious time.SG2 203.2+2 The Word itself is such a complete body pervaded by one divine life, where every portion has its use and every book is adapted to human beings in every phase of life to secure a special result and make the human family complete in Christ.Lt 3, 1898, par. 13–16 There is to be harmony in every action with no jealousy and no division over leaders, but all drawing together evenly without friction, sharing suffering and honor as one, educating brethren to bear responsibilities, lifting burdens from ministers, and sharing means with destitute fields rather than grasping all for one's own portion.Ms 1b, 1874, par. 23+1