THE K I N G ’S BUS I NES S
60
(3) The worker is worthy of his wages, and the Lord will pay the price. (4) God carefully notes the conduct of the servant, and the character of his service. (5) The ignorant, indifferent and idle will suffer loss. (6) H e who lakes advantage of the open door for service, will be first; who trifles w ith op portunity will be last. Jug m Subject Illustration. As far as we know from the Bible and experience, we never see God promoting a man who is lazy or discouraged. Eli-, jah was discouraged under the juniper tre e ‘and God could LESSON not use him. He ILLUSTRATIONS had to put him in W. H. Pike the cave experi ence in order to train his faith for greater service. Many young Christian workers have discussed for.hours why they were not put into positions of prominence and usefulness. They say, we preach the same tru th s Moody did, we are self sac rificing, we have more natural ability than others who are more widely known and used. Yes, but God cannot trust you with the same amount of prosperity in service. And besides it may not be His will for you to occupy a popular place. You may do more good in the will of God in an obscure place. Your promotion may be to obscurity instead of popularity and your reward will be as large as the popular man’s. Bible Illustration. In Esther 2 we have a good example of promotion in Esther and later in the promotion of Mordecai. Joseph, David and Daniel are splendid examples of ad vancement under trials. God promotes His faithful ones in due time. Promotion Depends Upon Three Things. F irst, Ability and Training. God never promotes until the worker is trained for greater service. An evan gelist used to spend the larger part of his time during the day playing checkers and enjoying pleasure trips. He said he had sufficient sermons and more than he needed to use. He never became
have a place, the one upon the right hand and the other on the left, but they were to be two thieves. (Matt. 27:38). The disciples failed also to under stand the method of His kingdom. He reverses the natural order of honor in service. In all the world and all through the ages it has been the custom to count him honored who is served, but the glory of God is th a t He is the all-minis tering One. He waits upon men, hears their cry, sends forth His blessings. In ten thousand ways He ministers to man’s needs every day. And this is the glory of the man Christ Jesus. You can never think of Him as seeking aught for Himself. Al ways, everywhere, He is as one who serveth. (Luke 22:27). “For whether is greater, he th at sitteth at meat, or he that serveth 7 Is not he that sitteth at m eat? but I am among you as he that serveth.” He served a t the sacrifice of all that was possibly dear to Him, and served loyally, constantly, lovingly. “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.” (Jer. 45:5). This is the language of the life of Christ, and such should be the language of His follow ers. “If any man serve me, him will my Father honor.” (John 12:26). The place of service is the place of sacrifice and suffering, but it is also the place of glory an
Made with FlippingBook HTML5