Daily Conversion, November 30
A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight. Proverbs 11:1. TDG 343.1
We need to experience daily a reconversion. If you have taken advantage in your business dealings, which the Lord calls injustice, this must be adjusted before you can be honest and righteous in the sight of God. These things need to be corrected by our people everywhere…. When you take up this work of readjustment and getting right with God, angels of heaven will cooperate with you, giving you discernment to see where you have viewed matters in a wrong light. TDG 343.2
Christ and angels are looking upon your work. They are measuring every action. Let your life represent the meek and lowly Jesus. Strive to do as Christ would do were He in your place. Let there be no disagreement between your measurement of strict integrity and the divine measure. True, pure principles must govern the life of every soul that shall be pronounced just and righteous in the day of God. TDG 343.3
There are many transactions in the business world that the worldling regards as just and honest, but which God condemns. Men lay plans which they regard as right plans, but which do not accord with the true, unselfish principles that Christ has laid down in His Word…. But the approval of the world will never make an unjust action just, and wrong will stand as wrong before the heavenly universe until it is repented of and put away. TDG 343.4
The Lord cannot bless the men who corrupt themselves by unjust business dealings, either with their brethren or with worldlings. And those who do such things lose their spirituality; they grow cold and formal and selfish. They gloss over their past mistakes by theories of their own invention that are opposed to the principles of the Word of God. TDG 343.5
The principle which should characterize every business dealing is clearly laid down by Christ. “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12)…. TDG 343.6
The folly, the evil surmising, the uplifting of self, which destroy the fervent zeal of the soul will be put away, and the true believers will be humble of heart, and earnest in their labors for the perishing souls.—Letter 164, November 30, 1909, to the workers in Washington and Mountain View. TDG 343.7
Fear to Disobey God, December 1
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12. TDG 344.1
There is no carelessness allowed here, there is no indolence, there is no indifference, but we are to work out each of us, our own salvation with fear and trembling. Why? Let us see: “Wherefore, my beloved, …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Well, then, you say, am I to go around fearing and trembling all the way? Yes, in one sense, but not in another sense. TDG 344.2
You have the fear of God before you, and you will have a trembling lest you will depart from the counsels of God. There will be that trembling. You will be working out your own salvation all the time with fear and trembling. Does it rest here? No, let us hear how the divine power comes in: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Verse 13). Here are man’s works, and here are God’s works. They both cooperate. Man cannot accomplish this work without the help of the divine power. TDG 344.3
God does not take man with his own natural feelings and deficiencies and place him right in the light of the countenance of God. No, man must do his part, and while man works out his own salvation, with fear and trembling, it is God that worketh in him to will and to do of His own good pleasure. With these two combined powers, man will be victorious, and receive a crown of life at last. He stands in view of the haven of bliss and the eternal weight of glory before him, and he fears lest he will lose it, lest a promise being left, he shall come short of it. He cannot afford to lose it. He wants that haven of bliss, and strains every energy of his being to secure it. He taxes his abilities to the utmost. He puts to the stretch every spiritual nerve and muscle that he may be a successful overcomer in this work, and that he may obtain the precious boon of eternal life…. TDG 344.4
When the world sees that we have an intensity of desire, some object that is out of sight, which by faith is to us a living reality, then it puts an incentive to investigate, and they see that there is certainly something worth having, for they see that this faith has made a wonderful change in our life and character.—Manuscript 13, December 1, 1888, sermon, Des Moines, Iowa.
Gifts to Fit Our Need, December 2
See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship. Exodus 31:2, 3. TDG 345.1
God always has men of His appointment to step into the places where work needs to be done, men with whom and by whom He can work…. To every man the Lord has entrusted talents—gifts that correspond to the needs of some place…. TDG 345.2
The Lord will give understanding to everyone who will fully connect with His work. We are not left to trust in human wisdom. In the Lord is wisdom, and it is our privilege to look to Him for counsel…. TDG 345.3
We are all members of God’s family, all in a greater or less degree entrusted with God-given talents, for the use of which we are held responsible. Whether our talent be great or small, we are to use it in God’s service, and we are to recognize the right of everyone else to use the gifts entrusted to them. Never should we disparage the smallest physical, intellectual, or spiritual capital. Some may trade in pennies and farthings, and by God’s blessing, and unwearied diligence, these humble ones may make successful investments, and make a gain proportionate to the capital entrusted to them. No one should make light of any humble worker, who is filling his place, and is doing a work that someone must do, however small that work may seem. TDG 345.4
O how my heart is grieved as I see men who have had great opportunities seeking to place in a circumscribed sphere, someone, who, with encouragement, might develop to fill a position of great usefulness. The Lord makes use of vessels both large and small. Many whose lives are filled with activity and earnestness need from others counsel and encouragement, and words of approval. God looks with pleasure upon the improvement made by His children as they help and encourage one another. TDG 345.5
All, whether entrusted with few or with many talents, are to blend together in unity. We need more of the spirit of the Saviour that we may help those who have been restricted and hindered. How much we may help them in their efforts to rise will never be known till it is made manifest in the judgment. We should have a word of encouragement to speak to all, remembering that there are a diversity of gifts.—Letter 260, December 2, 1903, to Dr. George A. Hare, who was invited to connect with the sanitarium to be established in Washington, D.C. TDG 345.6
Thankful for Every Moment, December 3
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18. TDG 346.1
Although I did not have good sleep during the night, my peace was like a river. The love of Jesus grows in my heart, and I do love Him, and my heart flows out in grateful thanksgiving. The preciousness of divine truth presents itself with such clearness and force to my mind that I long to express it to all that I can reach to comfort, and encourage them with the consolation wherewith I myself also am comforted. I feel not the slightest depression of spirits. Pleasant views and ideas present themselves to me like precious views of gold, and my heart is all aglow and I feel an ardor of soul that seems longing to express itself. TDG 346.2
In reading the Scriptures, light seems to shine upon every letter—sentences seem so fresh and new and important—and my heart is in complete harmony with the whole. I am thankful every moment, even when awake at night and unable to sleep. TDG 346.3
I know in my daily experience that the Holy Spirit is present as I read His Word, planting the truth in the heart, that it may be expressed in the life and character to others. The Spirit of God takes the truth from the sacred page, where He Himself hath placed it, and stamps it on the soul. What holy joy, what hope and consolation can be ours to impart to others. TDG 346.4
I attended the afternoon meeting [at Ballarat, N.S.W., Australia], and there were more people present to hear the word than I expected. I spoke from John 14:15-24. The Lord gave me words to speak to the people to present before them the precious assurances that Christ has given to all those who know and do His commandments.TDG 346.5
Jesus asks an evidence of their love for Him. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). If it were not possible for us to keep His commandments, why does He speak words to us of this kind? Now the following verse opens to us a treasure of knowledge. “And I will pray the Father, [although I be absent from you] and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (Verse 16)…. TDG 346.6
Is not this promise sure? Can any words from the lips of God’s only begotten Son make it more decided and positive?—Manuscript 2, December 3, 1892, diary. TDG 346.7