Use of Talents

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The Lord has called, and He still calls for those who are apparently blind to their deficiencies, the self-complacent ones, who plan and devise how they can best situate themselves. God help the spiritually blind to see that there is a world to be saved. The truth is to be made manifest to those who know it not, and this work calls for the self-denying grace of Jesus Christ. Thousands who are now spiritually useless should be digging up their buried talents and putting them to the exchangers. Many have written for themselves their resolves to do as little as possible, and these have sealed their resolutions for the judgment of that great day when every talent will be required by God that He may see how much each one of His servants has gained by trading. Those who think they will surely reach heaven while they follow their own ways and imaginations, might better break the seal, and re-examine their title to the treasures of heaven. The men and women who feel at ease in Zion might better become anxious about themselves, and inquire, «What am I doing in the Lord’s vineyard? Why am I not yoked up with Christ, a laborer together with God? Why am I not learning in Christ’s school His meekness and lowliness of heart? Why have I no burdens to bear in the service of Christ?» «Why am I not a decided and earnest Christian, employing all my powers in laboring for the salvation of souls who are perishing all around me? Saith not the Word, ‘We are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building’? Shall I not, with my Saviour’s help, build a character for time and eternity, and promote godliness in myself and in others the sanctification of the truth?»

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Come, my brethren and sisters, and seek conversion of soul, body, and spirit. Unfold your napkin and begin to trade with your Lord’s goods. In so doing you will gain other talents. Every soul entrusted with talents is to use his talents to benefit others. Who in the great day of final reckoning will say, «I was afraid, and went and hid thy money in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine»? To such the Lord will answer, «Thou wicked and slothful servant, . . . thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.»

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Man is only required to do according to his ability. But his ability will surely grow if it is exercised. Wake up, brethren, for your own soul’s sake, wake up. Without the grace of Christ you can do nothing. Work while you can. Be not deceived into thinking that your lot in life is to be constantly favored, that you can shirk the path of self-denial and self-sacrifice, which Christ bids all share with Him. You will gain a valuable experience in being partakers of the self-denial and self sacrifice of Christ. —