Improving My Talents
He that doeth good is of God. 3 John 11 -- {ML 118.1}
There are many ways in which the youth can be putting to usury the talents entrusted to them of God, to build up the work and cause of God, not to please themselves but to glorify God. The Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, made the infinite sacrifice in coming to our world in order that He might elevate and ennoble humanity.... We read, "He went about doing good." ... -- {ML 118.2}
He has a vineyard in which everyone can perform good work. Suffering humanity needs help everywhere. The students may win their way to hearts by speaking words in season, by doing favors for those who need even physical labor. This will not degrade any of you, but it will bring a consciousness of the approval of God. It will be putting the talents entrusted to you for wise improvement to the exchangers. It will increase them by trading upon them.... -- {ML 118.3}
It is our duty ever to seek to do good in the use of the muscles and brain God has given to youth, that they may be useful to others, making their labors lighter, soothing the sorrowing, lifting up the discouraged, speaking words of comfort to the hopeless, turning the minds of the students from fun and frolic which often carries them beyond the dignity of manhood and womanhood to shame and disgrace. The Lord would have the mind elevated, seeking higher, nobler channels of usefulness. -- {ML 118.4}
The true man is one who is willing to sacrifice his own interest for the good of others, and who exercises himself in binding up the brokenhearted. -- {ML 118.5}
All power to do good is God-given.... To God belongs all the glory for the wise and good deeds of human agents. -- {ML 118.6}
From My Life Today page 118.