Our work for the new year will soon begin. . . . This is a time for all to inquire, “What can I do to advance the cause of present truth?”
I appeal to all who believe the truth, to all who can assist us in any line. Give us your help to advance the work just now. We need workers, and we need money; for there is a close relation between money and missions.
We have moved out by faith and have made large advancement, because we saw what needed to be done, what God was calling upon us to do, and we dared not hesitate. But we have not done the half of that which should be done. There is a great work before us. All about us are souls longing for light and truth, and how are they to be reached?
A Precious History
God works through heavenly instrumentalities that those who know the truth may be brought in connection with souls who need light and knowledge. Read the tenth chapter of Acts. The God of Heaven beheld the devotion and piety of Cornelius. He witnessed his prayers and his almsgiving, and marked the power of his influence. He desired to give him light in regard to Christ’s mission and to connect him with His work. The Lord sent His angel to signify this to Cornelius, and to place him in connection with the Apostle Peter. The angel told Cornelius just where Peter lived, and assured him, “He shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.” Then an angel was sent to Peter to remove his doubt as to the propriety of working for the Gentiles. “What God has cleansed, that call not thou common.” While Peter was pondering in regard to the mysterious revelation that had been given him, the Spirit said unto him, “Behold, three men seek thee. Arise, therefore, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
What a history is this to show that Heaven is in close connection with our world. On the ladder that Jacob saw, angels of God are ascending and descending. God is above the ladder, and beams of light and glory are shining the whole length from heaven to earth. This line of communication is still open.
And what was the outcome of God’s dealing with Cornelius? Read the precious history, and learn, and praise God; for its lesson is for us. Finding Cornelius and his friends gathered to hear the word of God, “Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.”. . .
As Peter spoke these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon the assembly, and they were baptised in the name of the Lord. Thus in Caesarea a company of Christian believers was established to hold up the light of truth.
Work for Today
This is the work to be done today. We have a message to give to the people, “The bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” Christ declares, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth in Me shall never thirst. All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and he that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”
There is in every city and every suburb a work to be done in presenting the last message of mercy to a fallen world.
But what can we do? We sit down and consider, we pray, and plan how to begin the work in the places all around us. Where are the faithful missionaries who will carry it forward? And how shall they be sustained?
Money Is a Talent to Be Used
Money is a talent which the Lord desires to have put to use in His service. I see the necessities of the work, and I am determined to do all in my power, that the last merciful message of warning to our world may not be hindered. One soul is of such value that in comparison with it, the whole world sinks into insignificance.
Now we call upon all who will, to help us in the work. Of what use is it to lay up worldly treasure? Read the words of the apostle James, “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your misery which shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.”
We certainly do not want to be of the class who have heaped together treasure for the last days, to eat our flesh as it were fire. In that fearful time all men will understand their misuse of God’s money. Those who have squandered His gifts will see how their means has been buried up in banks and stocks and mines and other enterprises where it could be of no benefit to the cause of God. They will see how their money might have been used to advance the cause of God and win souls for Him, and how through their misapplication of God’s talent they have suffered eternal loss.
Sincerity Shown by Action
Do you profess to be looking for the soon coming of Christ in the clouds of Heaven? Do you profess to believe that the last warning is now being given to the world? Do you pray that God’s kingdom may come, and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven? The sincerity of your profession of faith and of your prayers will be shown by your works.
We want your prayers for the advancement of the work. We need them. But we ask that with you as with Cornelius, prayer and giving may be united.
If we act out our faith, we shall not be forgotten by God. He marks every deed of love and self-denial. He will open ways whereby we may show our faith by our works.
Let us carefully consider the solemn, prophetic warnings, let us receive the encouragement of God’s rich promises. Let us work determinedly, with heart willingness, with gladness of soul, in the spirit of humble obedience rendering back to God His own. We can pray with faith for God’s power to unite with our efforts when we can come before Him saying, “Of Thine own we freely give Thee.”
The Lord desires us to be living channels of light. He has made it our privilege to cooperate with Him as partners in His great firm, to act our part in promoting the prosperity of His cause.
The fields are white for the harvest. Shall we not have means for gathering in the precious grain? Will those who know the truth see what they can do to help us just now? Will everyone cut off all needless expenditures? See what you can do in self-denial. Dispense with all that is not positively necessary. Come up to the measure of your God-given duty.
Let it be known that God has a people upon the earth who have not forgotten that He has a law, binding upon all human intelligences. In all the churches, there are souls who know not that the seventh and not the first day of the week is the Sabbath, and that it is to be observed because God Himself has given the command.
Brethren and sisters, this work demands your help. Will you give it? To those who have means which they are not putting to use for God we appeal in Christ’s name. Let no talent be hidden in the earth. Undo your napkin, and put your treasure into active service for God.
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This article, appearing in the January 13, 2011 Adventist Review, is abridged from “An Appeal,” published in the January 1900 issue of the Australasian Union Conference Record. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen G. White (1827-1915) exercised the biblical gift of prophecy during more than 70 years of public ministry.
