Those engaged in the work of God cannot serve His cause acceptably unless they make the best use possible of the religious privileges they enjoy. We are as trees planted in the garden of the Lord; and He comes to us seeking the fruit He has a right to expect. His eye is upon each of us; He reads our hearts and understands our lives. This is a solemn search, for it has reference to duty and to destiny; and with what interest is it prosecuted. Let each of those to whom are committed sacred trusts inquire: “How do I meet the inspecting eye of God? Is my heart cleansed from its defilement? or have its temple courts become so desecrated, so occupied with buyers and sellers, that Christ finds no room?” The bustle of business, if continuous, will dry up spirituality and leave the soul Christless. Although they may profess the truth, yet if men pass along day by day with no living connection with God, they will be led to do strange things; decisions will be made not in accordance with the will of God. There is no safety for our leading brethren while they shall go forward according to their own impulses. They will not be yoked up with Christ, and so will not move in harmony with Him. They will be unable to see and realize the wants of the cause, and Satan will move upon them to take positions that will embarrass and hinder. {5T 423.1}

De, der udfører Guds gerning, kan ikke tjene hans sag tilfredsstillende, medmindre de på den bedst mulige måde udnytter de religiøse fordele, de nyder. Vi er ligesom træer, der er plantede i Herrens have og han kommer for at søge efter den frugt, han er berettiget til at vente. Hans øje hviler på enhver af os; han læser vore hjerter og forstår vort liv. Dette er en højtidelig ransagelse, for den gælder pligt og skæbne; og med hvilken interesse bliver den ikke udført!