Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940) Chapter 3—Why God Employs Men as His Almoners
The Fruit of Seeking Gain
Oh, must Christ, the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, bear the heavy cross, and wear the thorny crown, and drink the bitter cup, while we recline at ease, glorify ourselves, and forget the souls He died to redeem by His precious blood? No; let us give while we have the power. Let us do while we have the strength. Let us work while it is day. Let us devote our time and our means to the service of God, that we may have His approbation, and receive His reward.—The Review and Herald, October 17, 1882. {CS 21.1}
We are called to support the ministry Christ Jesus left in our stewardship. This is not the time to sit back and relax while souls are perishing all around us. Jesus said to take up your cross and follow Him. Jesus did not make the sacrifice of His precious blood in vain. He calls on us to give while we still have the chance. Never mind receiving the approval of man, it is Jesus’ approbation and reward we should seek after. Work while the opportunity is still there, for no man knows when the son of man cometh. Give to support the work, and you will be blessed.
Our Father,
We thank You for giving us the opportunity to continue to labor in your vineyard. We thank You for blessing us with the strength to be able to provide for ourselves and our families. We thank You for entrusting to us the work of salvation. We pray that our beneficence is favorable in Your sight and will help in saving souls from perishing while there is still hope left in us. Help us to stay vigilant and not become indifferent to those around us in need. We pray for Your continued blessings and strength to be able to sound the trumpet warning to this dark world. Keep us faithful in our giving, in the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
