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This is no
unusual occurrence; it is the general rule of the moral universe
that those men prosper who do their work with all their hearts,
while those are almost certain to fail who go to their labor
leaving half their hearts behind them. God does not give harvests
to idle men except harvests of thistles, nor is he pleased to send
wealth to those who will not dig in the field to find its hid
treasure. It is universally confessed that if a man would prosper,
he must be diligent in business.
It is the same in religion as it is in other things. If you would
prosper in your work for Jesus, let it be heart work, and
let it be done with all your heart. Put as much force,
energy, heartiness, and earnestness into religion as ever you do
into business, for it deserves far more.
The Holy Spirit helps our infirmities, but he does not encourage
our idleness; he loves active believers. Who are the most useful
men in the Christian church?
The men who do what they undertake for God with all their hearts.
Who are the most successful Sunday school teachers? The most
talented? No; the most zealous; the men whose hearts are on fire,
those are the men who see their Lord riding forth prosperously in
the majesty of his salvation.
Whole-heartedness shows itself in perseverance; there may
be failure at first, but the earnest worker will say, "It
is the Lord's work, and it must be done; my Lord has bidden me do
it, and in his strength I will accomplish it."
Christian, are
you in this manner "with all thine heart" serving
your Master? Remember the earnestness of Jesus! Think what
heart-work was his! He could say, "The zeal of thine house
hath eaten me up." (Ps.69:9, Jn.2:17)
When he sweat great drops like blood, it was no light burden he
had to carry upon those blessed shoulders; and when he poured out
his heart, it was no weak effort he was making for the salvation
of his people. Was Jesus ever lukewarm towards us? Why then are so
many of us lukewarm towards Him?
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