April 2As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith — Gal. 6:10.
The Christian is to be ready to do good at the expense of his own time and convenience to all men, but he is to be ready to lay down his life for the brethren—he is to seek opportunities for laying down his life day after day, in the sense of giving his time to the communication of the Truth, or helping the Lord's brethren in any manner, to put on the whole armor of God, and to stand in the evil day—Z '03, 121 (R 3180). Opportunities for well-doing present themselves on every hand. They should be seized and utilized at first sight, even as the miner seizes the diamond or ruby at first sight. God's children should develop a positive Christianity, seeking to do good to anyone and to all. Our well-doing should be regulated by a sound mind, which will direct us to serve the brethren especially, but not to the exclusion of others, on the principle of our Lord's words, "This ought ye to do, and not to leave the other undone"—P '36, 48. Parallel passages: 1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Thes. 3:13; 2 Cor. 4:1; Heb. 10:36; Eccles.3:12; 9:10; Matt. 5:43, 44; John 9:4; 12:35; Psa.37:3, 27; Mark 3:4; Luke 6:35; 1 Thes.5:15; 1 Tim. 6:17, 18; Titus 2:14; 3:8. Hymns: 309, 70, 116, 210, 267, 275, 280. Poems of Dawn, 169: Go Labor On. Tower Reading: Z '13, 357 (R 5357). Questions: Have I this week used opportunities for doing good? To whom? What were the circumstances? What was helpful or hindersome? What were the results? |
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GO, LABOR ON
GO, labor on; spend and be spent,—
Thy joy to do thy Father's will;
It is the way the Master went;
Should not the servant tread it still?
Go, labor on; 'tis not for naught;
Thine earthly loss is heavenly gain;
Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not;
The Master praises—what are men?
Go, labor on; enough, while here,
If He shall praise thee—if He deign
Thy willing heart to mark and cheer;
No toil for Him shall be in vain.
Men sit in darkness at thy side,
Without a hope beyond the tomb;
Take up the torch and wave it wide,
The torch that lights the thickest gloom.
Go, labor on; thy hands are weak,
Thy knees are faint, thy soul cast down,
Yet falter not; the prize we seek,
Is near—a Kingdom and a crown!
GO, labor on; spend and be spent,—
Thy joy to do thy Father's will;
It is the way the Master went;
Should not the servant tread it still?
Go, labor on; 'tis not for naught;
Thine earthly loss is heavenly gain;
Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not;
The Master praises—what are men?
Go, labor on; enough, while here,
If He shall praise thee—if He deign
Thy willing heart to mark and cheer;
No toil for Him shall be in vain.
Men sit in darkness at thy side,
Without a hope beyond the tomb;
Take up the torch and wave it wide,
The torch that lights the thickest gloom.
Go, labor on; thy hands are weak,
Thy knees are faint, thy soul cast down,
Yet falter not; the prize we seek,
Is near—a Kingdom and a crown!