The names of all who profess the truth were mentioned. Some were reproved for their unbelief, others for having been slothful servants. They had allowed others to do the work in the Master’s vineyard, and to bear the heaviest responsibilities, while they were selfishly serving their own temporal interests. Had they cultivated the abilities God had given them, they could have been reliable burden bearers, working for the interest of the Master. Said the Judge: “All will be justified by their faith and judged by their works.” How vividly then appeared their neglect, and how wise the arrangement of God in giving to every man a work to do to promote the cause and save his fellow men. Each was to demonstrate a living faith in his family and in his neighborhood, by showing kindness to the poor, sympathizing with the afflicted, engaging in missionary labor, and by aiding the cause of God with his means. But, like Meroz, the curse of God rested upon them for what they had not done. They had loved that work which would bring the greatest profit in this life; and opposite their names in the ledger devoted to good works there was a mournful blank. {4T 386.2}

Alle navne på dem, der bekender sig til sandheden, blev nævnt. Nogle blev irettesat for deres vantro, andre for at have været lade tjenere. De havde ladet andre udføre arbejdet i Herrens vingård og bære de tungeste ansvar, medens de egennyttigt tjente deres egne timelige interesser. Havde de udviklet de evner, Gud havde givet dem, kunne de være blevet pålidelige mænd til at bære byrder og have virket for Mesterens interesser. Dommeren udtalte: "Alle vil blive retfærdiggjort ved deres tro og dømt efter deres gerninger." Hvor levende fremtrådte nu ikke deres forsømmelse og hvor viis var ikke Guds forordning, når han gav enhver en gerning at udføre for at fremme sagen og frelse sine medmennesker! Enhver skulle åbenbare en levende tro i sin familie og i sit nabolag ved at vise venlighed mod de fattige, have medfølelse med de trængende, deltage i missionsarbejde og ved at støtte Guds sag med sine midler. Men ligesom over Meroz hvilede Guds forbandelse over dem, for det de ikke havde gjort. De havde elsket det arbejde, der ville bringe den største fordel her i livet; og over for deres navne i himmelens dagbog, hvor deres gode gerninger skulle have stået, var der et sørgeligt tomrum.