​August 21

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness — Matt. 6:33.
 
The Lord's people of spiritual Israel will do well to bear this thought continually in mind—that spiritual interests are to be given the preference always; that temporal affairs are to be managed and controlled from the standpoint of the everlasting welfare—from the standpoint of spiritual growth and development and prosperity—from the standpoint of the best interests and influences upon their children. They should not only hesitate to follow any suggestion that would take themselves and their families into unfavorable, godless surroundings, but they should determine that not under any consideration would they follow such a suggestion—that on the contrary the Lord's people should be their people, even though this would mean less of the comforts and luxuries of this present life—Z '02, 350 (R 3110).
 
In this verse Christ sets before us an ambition worthy of our best efforts; for what is more valuable than Christ Jesus, and everlasting life in the Kingdom with Jesus? Nor need the magnitude of these ambitions affright us; since God Himself has invited us thereto, binding Himself by an oath to give us all necessary help; since Jesus exercises His High Priestly office on our behalf, to insure our successful attainment thereof, and since our participation in the holy Spirit furnishes us with all the capacities therefore. These three things furnish us with all the helps both external and internal, necessary for our overcoming. More than these would injure us. Less than these would make us fail—P '30, 109.
 
Parallel passages: 1 Kings 3:13; Mark 10:30; Rom. 8:32; 14:17, 18; 2 Tim. 4:8; Rom. 12:9-21; 1 Cor. 13; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 4:1-7, 12-16; 5:1, 2; Col. 3:10-25.

Hymns: 58, 66, 72, 73, 95, 198, 267.
Poems of Dawn, 144: Take Time To Be Holy.
Tower Reading: Z '16, 69 (R 5862).

Questions: What was my chief ambition this week: self, the world, sin, error; or love, justice, wisdom, and Kingdom-mindedness? How did my chief ambition express itself? What results did it gain?

---

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

TAKE time to be holy! Speak oft with the Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word;
Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy! The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy! Let Him be thy guide,
And run not before Him, whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word!

Take time to be holy! Be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control;
Thus led by His spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

---