Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Dangers and Duty of Ministers 349The people of God generally feel a united interest in the spreadof the truth. They cheerfully contribute toward a liberal support forthose who labor in word and doctrine. And I saw that it is the dutyof those who have the responsibility of distributing means, to seethat the liberalities of the church are not squandered. Some of theseliberal brethren have been laboring for years with shattered nerves andbroken-down constitutions, caused by excessive labor in the past toobtain possessions here, and now as they freely give a portion of thesubstance which has cost them so much, it is the duty of those wholabor in word and doctrine to manifest a zeal and self-sacrifice at leastequal to that shown by these brethren.God’s servants must go out free. They must know in whom theytrust. There is power in Christ and His salvation to make them freemen; and unless they are free in Him, they cannot build up His churchand gather in souls. Will God send out a man to rescue souls fromthe snare of Satan when his own feet are entangled in the net? God’sservants must not be wavering. If their feet are sliding, how can they [370]say to those of a fearful heart: “Be strong”? God would have Hisservants hold up the feeble hands, and strengthen the wavering. Thosewho are not prepared to do this would better first labor for themselvesand pray until they are endowed with power from on high.God is displeased with the lack of self-denial in some of His servants.They have not the burden of the work upon them. They seem tobe in a deathlike stupor. Angels of God stand amazed and ashamedof this lack of self-denial and perseverance. While the Author of oursalvation was laboring and suffering for us, He denied Himself, andHis whole life was one continued scene of toil and privation. He couldhave passed His days on earth in ease and plenty, and appropriatedto Himself the pleasures of this life; but He considered not His ownconvenience. He lived to do others good. He suffered to save othersfrom suffering. He endured to the end and finished the work whichwas given Him to do. All this was to save us from ruin. And now, canit be that we, the unworthy objects of so great love, will seek a betterposition in this life than was given to our Lord? Every moment of ourlives we have been partakers of the blessings of His great love, and forthis very reason we cannot fully realize the depths of ignorance andmisery from which we have been saved. Can we look upon Him whomour sins have pierced and not be willing to drink with Him the bitter