Written by: John Sernaque
Stewardship
CS - Counsels on Stewardship (1940) Chapter 8— The Task Before Us
There is a world to be warned. To us has been entrusted this work. At any cost we must practice the truth. We are to stand as self-sacrificing minutemen, willing to suffer the loss of life itself, if need be, in the service of God. There is a great work to be done in a short time. We need to understand our work, and to do it with fidelity. Everyone who is finally crowned victor will, by noble, determined effort to serve God, have earned the right to be clothed with Christ’s righteousness. To enter the crusade against Satan, bearing aloft the bloodstained banner of the cross of Christ—this is the duty of every Christian. {CS 43.3}
This work calls for self-sacrifice. Self-denial and the cross stand all along the way of life. “He that will come after Me,” Christ said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Those who secure the treasures of this world are obliged to toil and sacrifice. Should those who are seeking for an eternal reward think that they need make no sacrifices?—The Review and Herald, January 31, 1907. {CS 44.1}
Satan knows that he has but a short time. For this reason, we must be on call 24/7. Satan is not about to let up, nor should we. Our work in the service of God requires sacrifice and self-denial. We are to support the cause of God with our time, energy, and resources. God provides for us so that we can march forward with the everlasting gospel message. We can never equal the sacrifice that God made for us, but we can let the whole world know what He did for us. By the grace of God, we will reach the four corners of the world with the saving truth so that all who surrender their life to Christ would be saved.
Dear God,
We thank You so much for allowing us to support the plan of salvation. We pray for the strength and courage to go forth boldly, without any shame, in confessing Your name to this world full of sin. We as sinners, humbly do the work You have entrusted us to do. We pray that by Your saving grace, we are able to reach all those lost souls who are looking for You, but do not know how to find You. We pray that we may earn the right to be clothed with Your robe of righteousness. We take up our cross and follow Thee, and it is in Your name, Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
