Kindly Impulses and Affections Kindly affections, generous impulses, and a quick apprehension of spiritual things are precious talents, and lay their possessor under a weighty responsibility. All are to be used in God's service. But here many err. Satisfied with the possession of these qualities, they fail to bring 353 them into active service for others. They flatter themselves that if they had opportunity, if circumstances were favorable, they would do a great and good work. But they are awaiting the opportunity. They despise the narrowness of the poor niggard who grudges even a pittance to the needy. They see that he is living for self, and that he is responsible for his misused talents. With much complacency they draw the contrast between themselves and such narrow-minded ones, feeling that their own condition is much more favorable than that of their mean-souled neighbors. But they are deceiving themselves. The mere possession of unused qualities only increases their responsibility. Those who possess large affections are under obligation to God to bestow them, not merely on their friends, but on all who need their help. Social advantages are talents, and are to be used for the benefit of all within reach of our influence. The love that gives kindness to only a few is not love, but selfishness. It will not in any way work for the good of souls or the glory of God. Those who thus leave their Master's talents unimproved are even more guilty than are the ones for whom they feel such contempt. To them it will be said, Ye knew your Master's will, but did it not.

Venlighed, gavmildhed og en hurtig opfattelse af åndelige ting er dyrebare talenter og pålægger den, der er i besiddelse af dem, et stort ansvar. De skal alle bruges i Guds gerning. Men der er mange, der tager fejl i denne henseende. De er tilfreds med at eje disse egenskaber men undlader at benytte dem til andres bedste. De siger til sig selv at hvis de havde anledninger hvis omstændighederne tillod det, ville de udføre et stort og godt arbejde. Men de går og venter på en anledning. De foragter den snæversynede gnier der ikke engang under de nødlidende den mindste almisse. De kan se, at han kun lever for sig selv, og at han er ansvarlig for sine misbrugte talenter.