Every Man, Woman, and Child Is Responsible

The parable of the talents should be a matter of the most careful and prayerful study; for it has a personal and individual application to every man, woman, and child possessed of the powers of reason. Your obligation and responsibility are in proportion to the talents God has bestowed upon you. There is not a follower of Christ but has some peculiar gift for the use of which he is accountable to God.

Many have excused themselves from rendering their gift to the service of Christ, because others were possessed of superior endowments and advantages. The opinion has prevailed that only those who are especially talented are required to sanctify their abilities to the service of God. It has come to be understood that talents are given only to a certain favored class, to the exclusion of others who, of course, are not called upon to share in the toils or rewards. But it is not so represented in the parable. When the master of the house called his servants, he gave to every man his work.

The whole family of God are included in the responsibility of using their Lord’s goods. Every individual, from the lowliest and most obscure to the greatest and most exalted, is a moral agent endowed with abilities for which he is accountable to God. To a greater or less degree, all are placed in charge of the talents of their Lord. The spiritual, mental, and physical ability, the influence, station, possessions, affections, sympathies, all are precious talents to be used in the cause of the Master for the salvation of souls for whom Christ died. How few appreciate these blessings! How few seek to improve their talent, and increase their usefulness in the world! The Master has given to every man his work. He has given to every man according to his ability, and his trust is in proportion to his capacity. God requires everyone to be a worker in His vineyard. You are to take up the work that has been placed in your charge, and to do it faithfully.—The Review and Herald, May 1, 1888.
Ye Shall Receive Power p. 218
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Prayer Requests
—-please be in prayers for my family friend Kathy. Her brother and his wife’s funerals will be held this weekend. She has asked for prayers at this difficult time, as their passing was very unexpected. Jennifer
—-Please pray for Kathy and family as her son Matt has passed. Rose
—-I’m asking for prayers for one of my grandsons he’s only 23 and into drugs. Barbara
PLease continue to pray for E and children. R
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Dear Friends,

Several times a year when I was a child, my mother and I would take the train to Grand Rapids to shop. On one such occasion, she happened to notice a large crowd going into a certain store that had a big grand opening sign. We joined the milling crowd and soon found ourselves inside, surrounded by a vast “sea” of shoppers. I was about six at the time and was given careful instructions to keep holding her hand. Somehow, as my mother was looking at some merchandise, we got separated. Soon, I found myself being carried along by the crowd and unable to find my mother. I began to be fearful, but I didn’t know what to do or where to go.

Finally, a clerk noticed my sad face and asked me if I was lost. Then she took me upstairs to the toy department and let me hold a great big doll. The doll was beautiful, but it held no interest for me. I just wanted my mommy. I remember the concerned faces of the clerk and some man with glasses hovering over me. He could have been the manager, but I was not interested in him. I just wanted to see my mother’s face.

When my mother finally discovered that I was not at her side, she nearly panicked. While searching for me in that milling crowd, she came upon a clerk who explained that the store’s policy was to take any lost child to the toy department. Rushing to the elevator, she made her way to the fifth floor. A clerk, seeing her panic-stricken look, walked over and asked if she could help. My mother asked if any lost child had been found. Smiling, the woman took her to where I was. As soon as I saw my mother, I set that beautiful doll down and rushed into her arms. Then I burst into tears.

Just as I became lost when I took my hand out of my mother’s hand, so we can become lost only if we let go of our Heavenly Father’s Hand. Yet, praise God! We do not need to stay that way “for the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 Indeed, there are many who have become separated from their Loving Redeemer. Perhaps they have been allured by worldly pleasures, or by choosing a friend who has led them down the wrong path. Perhaps it is simple carelessness or neglect of Bible study and prayer. Whatever the cause, they soon find that they can no longer see their Saviour’s face.

Because of His great love, our Dear Jesus does not leave us alone. No, He works out circumstances that we may return to Him if we will. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:4-10

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zeph 3:17 Wonderful thought! The Great King of the Universe rejoices over us with singing! “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Rom 11:33 Think of it! Not only does the Great Creator of the Universe rejoice when we repent, but all of the angels of Heaven and all of the beings on the unfallen worlds are interested in our salvation. May we run to His Outstretched Arms of Love is my prayer.

Rose