We Are Not Our Own

One of the greatest mistakes that man has done is to think that they belong to themselves; that they are their own.
For that reason people think that they themselves can decide what they do, how they live, how to spend their time, how to use their money, even how to treat other people. In other words, they think that they are masters and not servants.
Paul writes to us, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

In the parable of the talents we are called stewards and therefore have to give an account of our stewardship in the end. Some will be commended, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Others will hear the words, “Thou wicked and slothful servant.” “Cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness.”

Paul writes further, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Cor. 4:2.

In what are we to be faithful? The answer is clear, “The people answered together, and said, all that the Lord hath spoken we will do.” Ex. 19:8.

All that the Lord has spoken include the whole Bible, the Old and New Testament and the testimonies of the Spirit of Prophecy.

We must be found faithful in health reform, in Sabbath keeping, in tithes and offerings, in missionary work and in every aspect of our lives. We must be honest even toward the government in income taxes and custom duties.

Some time ago I visited the United States and bought a raincoat there and I did not declare it at the border. It bothered me so much that I had no peace until I sent a letter and money to the customs house. After that I felt happy again.
Sister White writes, “God prizes goodness and faithfulness above all else.” She continues, “The earnest toil, unselfish work, patient persevering effort will be abundantly rewarded.” GW, p. 267.

God is watching us and testing us daily to reveal to us our weak points. Peter would not have known his weak point until someone came and asked him if he was a disciple of Jesus. In a similar way we are brought in situations where our character weaknesses are revealed.

Job was tested severely and he remained faithful in the test. Also Joseph and Moses passed tests before God could lay on them greater responsibilities.

God has given us also a talent of speech. We are not free to use it any way we like. James gives us counsel about our tongue. “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and is set on fire of hell… But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.” James 3:6-9.

God requires faithful use of all our talents. Angry words, and vain trifling words are unfaithfulness of the talent of speech. Also to be silent when we should speak the truth to others is unfaithfulness.

“We shall individually be held responsible for doing one jot less than we have ability to do. The Lord measures with exactness every possibility for service. The unused capabilities are as much brought into account as are those that are improved… We shall be judged according to what we ought to have done, but did not accomplish because we did not use our powers to glorify God.” COL, p. 363

Jesus spoke a parable of a man whose ground brought forth plentifully. This rich man decided to build bigger barns to store all his fruits. “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall these things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20-21.

Many will lose heaven and be cast to outer darkness who are unfaithful in tithes and offerings. They do not realize that all they have really belongs to God and therefore they should ask God how to distribute and spend their money.
The work that needs all our talents is work of soul saving. This is the most important work that every child of God is asked to do.

“Those who give their lives to Christlike ministry know the meaning of true happiness. Their interests and their prayers reach far beyond self. They themselves are growing as they try to help others.” Test., Vol. 9, p. 42.

By using our talents, they increase. We become better workmen in the field of the Lord. Greater responsibilities will be laid upon us. We will grow mentally, morally and spiritually.

In the faithful service our love to God and to our neighbour will increase. To love God will bring the highest development to every faculty.

This knowledge and development cannot be obtained in the schools and universities. It can be attained only in the communion with God and in faithful performance of our daily duties.

We are nearing the tine when the Lord will call all of us to give an account of our stewardship. God will not make a mistake; in order to hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” we must be faithful in all things.
May the Lord help each one of us to understand our duty as stewards of the Lord’s goods. The unfaithful stewards will be shaken out and cast into outer darkness which means that the Holy Spirit will leave them and the truth which they believed before now makes no sense to them and they will believe lies invented by Satan. At the same time the faithful stewards will grow “unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Eph. 4:13.
AMEN

Timo Martin