THROW IT ALL AWAY, EVERYTHING. 013

"Selfish purposes are made the first consideration. The work of qualifying people to labor for the salvation of souls is not considered of so great consequence as worldly enterprises. Souls are perishing for want of knowledge. Those who have had the light of present truth, and yet feel no spirit of labor ... must give an account to God for their neglect of duty."

This quote hits me, I should be afraid if it didn't. I have all these aspirations to do the most, where does working for God come in that? I remember thinking once, if God wants at least 10% of my income, does he want 10% of my time? Thats a solemn thought, when you actually study the tithing system of the ancient Israelities, their tithes and offerings made up about 1/4th of their income (income being anything from crops to animals, essentially, their assets). I tried that once, for a couple years I gave literally a 25% tithe with a little extra for offerings of everything I made. I can tell you, I was never broke, my business thrived, I did well at work and God really blessed. It's crazy the more we give, the more we think we're going to lack, but in fact, the more we give, the more we gain.

Verses that I've committed to memory regarding this idea are found in Luke 6:38, Proverbs 3:9,10, Ecclesiastes 11:1 and Proverbs 11:24,25.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Proverbs 3:9,10 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Proverbs 11:24, 25 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Powerful stuff, but yeah back to the time thing, why don't we feel that the more we gave of our time to God, the more we pursued what He loves and what His plans for us are, the more we did that, the more time we'd have. The time we give to God currently, definitely has its returns, the return is eternity... crazy thought, sometimes we struggle to believe it. Well, we "believe it" we .. I, just don't —live— like I believe it. God please give me the spirit of labour to work for You, like I believe the return would be eternity. Help my work for You though not to be about fear of punishment or risk of reward, but because I love you. Help my earthly pursuits to not crowd out the heavenly. IJN amen.

Just imagine what God would give you in return, if you gave Him... yourself.

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