A Devotional for such a time as this: - from: Wilberforce, W., & Belmonte, K. (2006). 365 Days with Wilberforce (p. 10). Leominster, UK: Day One Publications. _____________ ‘To give an account of our stewardship’ ‘Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.’ Matthew 22:37 SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Psalm 119:1–7 It must be confessed by all who believe that we are accountable creatures … that we shall have to answer hereafter to the Almighty for all the means we have here enjoyed of improving ourselves, or of promoting the happiness of others. And if, when summoned to give an account of our stewardship, we shall be called upon to answer for the use which we have made of our bodily organs, and of the means of relieving the wants and necessities of our fellow-creatures; how much more for the exercise of the nobler faculties of our nature, of invention, and judgment, and memory, and for our employment of every instrument and opportunity of diligent application, and serious reflection, and honest decision. And to what subject might we in all reason be expected to apply more earnestly, than to that wherein our eternal interests are at issue? When God has granted us such abundant means of instruction, in that which we are most concerned to know, how great must be the guilt, and how awful the punishment of voluntary ignorance! And why are we in this pursuit alone to expect knowledge without inquiry, and success without endeavour? The whole analogy of nature inculcates a different lesson, and our own judgments in matters of temporal interest and worldly policy confirm the truth of her suggestions. Bountiful as is the hand of Providence, its gifts are not so bestowed as to seduce us into indolence, but to rouse us to exertion; and no one expects to attain to the height of learning, or arts, or power, or wealth, or military glory, without vigorous resolution, and strenuous diligence, and steady perseverance. FOR MEDITATION: Our lives, Wilberforce knew from his reading of the Scriptures, should be marked by grateful returns to the Author of our salvation. Our gifts and talents, as with our material possessions, have been given us in trust. We ought to carefully cultivate our gifts—to strive to make the best use of them—and in so doing to honour the Giver of them. So too we ought to share of our material possessions, whether tithing to our local church or in acts of service to the less fortunate. REFERENCE: A Practical View of Christianity (1797) - via Logos 6 #devotionalforsuchatimeasthis #christjesus #theword #studyscripture #god #biblestudy #bible #jesus #faith #dailydevotions #devotional #holyspirit #vineofchristministries
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 03:06:58 +0000
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