What struck me this morning is that it is God's plan for every man; not my plan, not what I want to do, but what God wants me to do. The question then becomes what work has God given me to do, not what work do I want to do.
Yesterday I talked about a quote from the book Education page 138. Today I read some of the context for that quote. Here is some of it:
That which lies at the foundation of business integrity and of true success is the recognition of God's ownership. The Creator of all things, He is the original proprietor. We are His stewards. All that we have is a trust from Him, to be used according to His direction. Ed 137.4
I have to comment on this before I share the rest of the context. I titled this post "TO every man.. BY GOD" for a good reason: God has to be at the center of our life. He is the creator and there is no one as well qualified to show the creation it's path as the maker. It is only as we recognize our obligation to Him that we can truly become the men and women that he would have his creatures to be. Notice "true success:" that is what our life goal should be. We can have false success here on this world by using the business world to our advantage and using the bronze rule. But God says "there is a better way;" "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isa 55:9
"All that we have is a trust from Him" - When you are a banker, all you handle is a trust from others. It is not yours to use as it pleases you: you are to use that money to grow the money for others. It is the same with our talents: we are to use are talents to grow our talents for God. So that when he comes to collect accounts we may be regarded a wise and prudent servant for God.
Continuing on:
This is an obligation that rests upon every human being. It has to do with the whole sphere of human activity. Whether we recognize it or not, we are stewards, supplied from God with talents and facilities, and placed in the world to do a work appointed by Him. Ed 137.5
There it is, "a work appointed by Him." This is a choice that He makes. But not to worry, He knows us better than we know ourselves. Also, stewards are not stewards without something to steward. God has given each talents to care for. There is no one who can say they have no talents for all are stewards.
Thus our business or calling is a part of God's great plan, and, so long as it is conducted in accordance with His will, He Himself is responsible for the results. "Laborers together with God" (1 Corinthians 3:9), our part is faithful compliance with His directions. Thus there is no place for anxious care. Diligence, fidelity, caretaking, thrift, and discretion are called for. Every faculty is to be exercised to its highest capacity. But the dependence will be, not on the successful outcome of our efforts, but on the promise of God. The word that fed Israel in the desert, and sustained Elijah through the time of famine, has the same power today. "Be not therefore anxious (R.V.), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? . . . Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:31-33. Ed 138.2
I have run out of time this morning, so I will have to call that good for this morning...
God Bless!
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