“Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.” What had Meroz done? Nothing. This was their sin. The curse of God came upon them for what they had not done. The man with a selfish, narrow mind is responsible for his niggardliness, but those who have kindly affections, generous impulses, and a love for souls are laid under weighty responsibilities; for if they allow these talents to remain unemployed and to waste they are classed with unfaithful servants. The mere possession of these gifts is not enough. Those who have them should realize that their obligations and responsibilities are increased. {2T 284.2}

»Forband«, sagde Herrens Engel »forband Meroz og dem, der bor deri! fordi de ikke kom Herren til Hjælp kom Herren til Hjælp som Helte!« Hvad havde Meroz gjort? Ingenting. Det var deres synd. Guds forbandelse kom over dem for det de ikke havde gjort. Mennesket med et egenkærligt, snævert sind er ansvarlig for hans gerrighed, men dem som har venlige følelser, ædelmodige indskydelser og en kærlighed for sjæle er lagt under tunge ansvar, for hvis de lader disse talenter forblive ubrugte og går til spilde sættes de i klasse med utrofaste tjenere. Blot at have disse gaver er ikke nok. Dem som har dem burde erkende at deres forpligtelse og ansvar er større.