4:111 Peter 4:11

To speak as called for here is to speak as one entrusted with God's own words and in agreement with them rather than from human devising, and to serve is to do it with the strength and ability God Himself supplies, so that God in all things is glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom praise and dominion belong forever.9T 221.2+2 Every person has received a gift to be used for others as a faithful steward of God's manifold grace, putting speech, service, means, and personal tastes and aptitudes into profitable channels.Ms 75, 1907, par. 11–12+2 Abilities, whether few or many, are endowments from God to be cultivated, improved and shared for His glory and the good of others, and the power of speech is a talent from Him whose highest use is to declare plain truth and minister grace in harmony with Christ's teaching.COL 335.2+4 In daily life this calls for faithful use of gifts without comparison, rivalry, or seeking human approval, with every word and act in the home and elsewhere done in God-given strength under Christ's control to bless others.Lt 52, 1901, par. 2–6+4 The work belongs to God and not to man, so when love of self is swallowed up in love for souls, no worker exalts his own part but all labor in harmonious unity as men of God's choosing, laboring faithfully in God's strength with a transformed life that honors Him.5T 726.3–727.1+4

To speak as the oracles of God is to speak as one entrusted with God's own words and in full accord with them rather than with human devising, and to minister is to serve with the strength and ability that God Himself supplies.9T 221.2+4 Both speaking and serving are gifts entrusted by God to be used in service to one another as faithful stewards of His manifold grace, as good managers of its many forms.9T 221.2+4 They are to be so used that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong praise and dominion forever.9T 221.2+4 When these principles are brought into daily life and work, workers become men of God's choosing, with every principle of God's Word made great in the servant's life.Ms 75, 1907, par. 11–12

The work is God's and not man's, and He has the same care for every part of the great whole.5T 726.3–727.1+2 When Christ and His glory are made first and love of self is swallowed up in love for souls for whom Christ died, no worker becomes so absorbed in one branch as to neglect the importance of the others or to exalt his own part above every other, but all labor in harmonious unity.5T 726.3–727.1+3 Self-exaltation is forbidden, whether by taking responsibilities God never assigned or by showing forceful traits of character that hide mercy and love and compassion.Ms 75, 1907, par. 11–12 Each person who has received a gift is to minister it to others as a good steward of the manifold grace of God, speaking God's message and serving in God's strength.Ms 75, 1907, par. 11–12+3

That stewardship covers every gift and task, including speech, service, and material resources, with individual tastes, dispositions, natural aptitudes and capabilities turned by the Lord into profitable channels.STB 504.1–2+3 Individuality is not to be destroyed but to be trained, molded and fashioned after the similitude of Christ, with talent and ability developed as the faculties are improved and the understanding is opened to receive God's impress.Lt 20, 1894, par. 2–3 All powers are to be used not for selfish purposes, not to get a name or secure large wages or human approval, and not for the possessor's own glory, but for the glory of God and the good of fellow men, to serve others, represent the truth, and uplift Christ.6MR 386.4+1 The Bible itself is God's own communication telling each person what to do to be saved.Lt 20a, 1888, par. 9 Its sacred truths as the living oracles are to be repeated continually and searched personally with diligent study and obedience, rather than relied upon through others' interpretations, and such personal searching brings growth in grace and maturity in Christ while keeping the church's interest alive and strengthened.Lt 20a, 1888, par. 9+1

Abilities whether few or many are endowments from God to be cultivated, improved, and shared with others for His glory.7T 115.2–3+1 What a person has received is to be passed on, with speech and material resources used in God's service.Lt 155, 1896, par. 24+1 The ability to sing is a talent of influence to be encouraged in all, though at times a special message may be given by one singer or several singing together.7T 115.2–3 Children in families are to receive thorough Bible instruction, and people are to be won to a knowledge of the truth rather than condemned.Lt 288, 1906, par. 23 Women as well as others may thus do holy work for God with the abilities He has given them, and God blesses their efforts.Ms 3, 1888, par. 9

The work is God's and not man's, and He has the same care for every part of the great whole.5T 726.3–727.1+3 When Christ and His glory are made first, and love of self is swallowed up in love for souls for whom Christ died, workers labor in harmonious unity.5T 726.3–727.1+3 Then no worker becomes so entirely absorbed in one branch of the cause as to lose sight of the importance of every other, nor exalts his own part above the rest as most important.5T 726.3–727.1+3 Each one who has received a gift is to minister it to others as a good steward of the manifold grace of God, speaking as entrusted with God's words and serving with the ability God supplies, so that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.5T 726.3–727.1+3

Bringing these principles into daily life and work makes workers men of God's choosing.Ms 75, 1907, par. 11–12 Every principle of God's Word is to be made great in the life of God's servant, speaking God's message rather than human devising and serving with the strength God supplies so that God is honored in everything through Jesus Christ.Ms 75, 1907, par. 11–12 This forbids exalting self by taking on responsibilities God never assigned and by showing forceful traits of character that hide mercy and love and compassion.Ms 75, 1907, par. 11–12 Speaking as the oracles of God and ministering by the ability God gives also forbids shaping preaching, especially by a man in responsible position, by another person's feelings, impressions and imaginings.Lt 17, 1894, par. 5 It forbids turning speech into questioning, criticism and evil speaking against fellow workers who are walking in the light as Christ is in the light, and it requires clear discernment and refusal to listen to evil speaking, with sobriety and watchfulness unto prayer and fervent charity that covers a multitude of sins, so that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.Lt 17, 1894, par. 5

A minister's work is a sacred trust to labor faithfully and carefully, using his strength for God's work rather than following self-indulgence or inclination.Lt 29a, 1872, par. 56–61 His teaching must be matched by a transformed, consecrated life, because careless or indiscreet conduct discredits the truth and turns people away from it.Lt 29a, 1872, par. 56–61 He is accountable for the souls entrusted to his care, and his service is to honor God.Lt 29a, 1872, par. 56–61 Speaking as the oracles of God means leaders take in the situation and act with intense interest in the various lines of reformatory work for the prosperity of the cause of God and as a blessing to those suffering disease.Lt 90, 1900, par. 3–5 They are to set such an example as may be safely followed, doing everything according to the Lord's plans so the work is a witness to the people, while ministering as of the ability God gives means each is to have a part in donating and laboring according to his several ability.Lt 90, 1900, par. 3–5

Opening the Scriptures to impress God's word on hearers calls for careful, clear, distinct and earnest speech.RH Jan 14, 1902 The voice should help impress God's word, with excellence in communicating truth under the Holy Spirit's control.RH Jan 14, 1902 Earnestness must fit the importance of the message and reflect its power in the life, for those who speak are to communicate God's message and those who serve are to do so with the ability God supplies, so that God is glorified through Jesus Christ.RH Jan 14, 1902

In the family circle every word spoken and every act of service is to be done in the strength God gives, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.Lt 52, 1901, par. 2–6 Everyone in the household is to have words and works after the works of Christ and to stand wholly under His control.Lt 52, 1901, par. 2–6+1 Brought into daily home life, this replaces seeking to meet the world's standard and gain its applause with the ambition to do the will of the heavenly Father and to be a blessing to others.Lt 52, 1901, par. 2–6 It gives a higher and holier experience, a deep religious experience that takes foolishness out of the life and brings growth in grace with peace and joy in the Lord.Lt 52, 1901, par. 2–6

Abilities are to be used as gifts from God, with work done faithfully rather than for selfish rivalry or human approval.ED 225.3–4+1 Whether few or many, each person is to make the best use of gifts, for faithful use rather than comparison or rivalry is worthy of honor, and work done this way serves God rather than self-seeking.ED 225.3–4+1 Different gifts and abilities are given for service in the work assigned, not for the possessor's glory or to exalt people, but to serve others, represent the truth, and uplift Christ so that God is glorified through Him.6MR 386.4+1 Individual tastes, dispositions, natural aptitudes and capabilities are an endowment from God, and individuality is not to be destroyed but trained, molded and fashioned after the similitude of Christ, the Lord turning natural aptitude into profitable channels.Lt 20, 1894, par. 2–3 Talent and ability are developed in the improvement of the faculties given when the understanding is opened to receive the impress from God, and all powers must be used not for selfish purposes, not to get a name or to secure large wages, but for the glory of God and the good of fellow men.6MR 386.4+1

The power of speech is a talent received from God that should be diligently cultivated, since of all His gifts none is capable of being a greater blessing.COL 335.2 The voice is given to convince and persuade, to offer prayer and praise to God, and to tell others of the Redeemer's love, so it must be trained to be most effective for good.COL 335.2 Speech carries either light or darkness, and speaking as God's oracle means having this precious talent sanctified to God to impart Christ's grace and divine truth.COL 335.2+1 The knowledge of truth becomes a savor of life unto life, and the highest use of speech is to declare plain, unvarnished truth to any audience, ministering grace in harmony with Christ's teaching.Lt 222, 1907, par. 12–13 The truly converted person has lips cleansed as by sacred fire and, because he believes, speaks the good news of salvation from the heart to everyone met, standing as a consecrated witness whose position for Christ is unmistakable and who declares the Redeemer's character in words of life and salvation.Lt 222, 1907, par. 12–13

Speaking as the oracles of God requires becoming a representative of Christ by discarding uncomely gestures and uncouth speech, using correct language with sound and pure words instead of common cheap expressions, and giving correct pronunciation of words.CE 123.1 It requires by close watchfulness and earnest discipline keeping the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking guile.CE 123.1 God has endowed men with gifts and ability to bless and edify others, and those who speak and minister for Him must make wise use of their faculties and opportunities and do their best to be fitted for the great work committed to them.CE 123.1 Ministering as of God's ability requires earnest effort, daily advancement, and self-education unto perfection, so that as overcomers and approved workmen who need not be ashamed they honor and glorify God and do not detract from their usefulness and influence.CE 123.1

God's work is to be carried forward in a way that gives all glory to God, with no credit taken to self, because following God's way brings glory to His name.Ms 38, 1904, par. 80–81 God is glorified in His workers only when they labor under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.Ms 38, 1904, par. 80–81+1 Glorifying God in all things requires maintaining a high standard in His institutions, with each person acting his part by doing and saying nothing that offends associates, cultivating a respectful manner, and revealing a right spirit in manners, appearance, and words.Ms 57, 1909, par. 20 Those in responsible positions are to maintain a sacred dignity, because visitors measure and form their impressions of the institution from these things.Ms 57, 1909, par. 20

Those who receive the truth are to pass on what they have received, relying on God for success and for a fresh supply of grace.17MR 49.1 A humble and contrite life, lived in God's light and love, uses each opportunity faithfully and affects both the worker's own destiny and the souls of others.17MR 49.1 Serving others in the duty God gives is a way to bless them and glorify God.17MR 49.1+1 Women, like others, may do holy work for God by using the abilities He has given them for His glory, and God blesses their efforts.Ms 3, 1888, par. 9+1